Giants All-Star pitcher Jason Schmidt, bothered by a sore groin, had his next start pushed back four days as a precautionary move.
Schmidt threw off flat ground before the Giants’ game Sunday against the Mets and then went inside to throw about 15 pitches off the mound in the indoor batting cage. Schmidt, who leads the majors with a 2.52 ERA, was scheduled to pitch on Tuesday but instead will return Saturday.
“It’s just one of those things where he is on the edge,” pitching coach Dave Righetti said. “He was fine with playing catch. This is just precautionary.”
Schmidt missed several games last year with a groin problem and felt discomfort again while pitching in the ninth inning of the Giants’ 5-4 victory over the Expos last Tuesday.
Ginter returns
The Mets recalled former White Sox right-hander Matt Ginter from Triple-A Norfolk in time to start Sunday’s game against the Giants. It was Ginter’s third stint with the Mets this season. After Sunday’s 3-1 loss, he’s 1-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 14 appearances–including 13 starts.
To make room for Ginter, the Mets optioned first baseman Craig Brazell to Norfolk. He was 0-for-3 in four games this year. Brazell was called up last Sunday when shortstop Kaz Matsui was placed on the DL with back spasms.
Another hitch
Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who had ligament-replacement surgery on his left elbow in 2000 and missed most of this season with rib and groin injuries, left the Padres’ game Sunday against the Marlins after four innings because he strained the same elbow.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Philadelphia 9 at Milwaukee 6
W: Rodriguez (5-6)
L: Kolb (0-3)
S: Worrell (16)
Jason Michaels’ RBI single snapped tie and Phillies scored 5 times in 10th inning before holding off Brewers to earn 3-game sweep. Philadelphia entered series following 7-game losing streak.
Pittsburgh 4 at St. Louis 11
W: Morris (13-8)
L: Vogelsong (4-10)
S: Kline (3)
Edgar Renteria capped 13-pitch AB in 1st inning with 3-run HR and matched career high with 5 RBIs as Cardinals went 40 games over .500 for 1st time since end of 1985 season.
Montreal 8 at Colorado 2
W: Patterson (3-2)
L: Jennings (11-11)
Juan Rivera had HR and 2 RBIs and Ryan Church had 3 hits and 2 RBIs in ML debut for Expos. Rivera was 4-for-5 with 3 runs scored for Montreal, whose 1st 5 runs came with 2 outs.
N.Y. Mets 1 at San Francisco 3
W: Rueter (7-9)
L: Ginter (1-3)
S: Hermanson (5)
Ray Durham led off 1st with HR as Giants won for 9th time in 11 games to keep wild-card lead. Richard Hidalgo led off 4th inning with HR for Mets, who lost 4th in 7 games.
Florida 8 at San Diego 3
W: Pavano (14-5)
L: Hitchcock (0-3)
Carl Pavano allowed 2 runs–1 earned–and 5 hits in 6 innings and had HR and 2 RBIs, and Luis Castillo also had 2 RBIs for Marlins, who won 6 of 9 games on road trip.
Atlanta 10 at Los Angeles 1
W: Wright (12-6)
L: Alvarez (7-4)
Chipper Jones’ 3-run HR capped 8-run 2nd inning and J.D. Drew hit 2-run double as Braves split 4-game series. Jaret Wright won for 10th time in 11 decisions, allowing 1 run in 7 innings.
Cincinnati 11 at Arizona 1
W: Claussen (2-3)
L: Randolph (2-4)
D’Angelo Jimenez hit 3-run HR and Sean Casey added solo shot and RBI double to lead Reds, who won 2nd road series since All-Star break. Adam Dunn also hit run-scoring double.
