THREE UP
Eric Hinske gained 5 1/2 games in the standings without playing a game. Toronto traded the 2002 AL rookie of the year and $2.8 million (half of next year’s salary) to Boston for a player to be named. Hinske, 29, can play outfield, first and third base. He’s hitting .264 with 12 homers.
Paul Byrd’s 14th complete game, and first since July 1, 2005, came without his best stuff. “You have games where you don’t have your fastball, and today was one,” the Indians righty said. “I was grunting, moaning and doing all I can, but they were coming out 83, 84 (m.p.h.).”
Oscar Villarreal made 160 straight relief appearances; Now he’s a starter. Pressed into Atlanta’s rotation, he threw five innings of one-hit ball in a 5-0 win over the Nationals. Manager Bobby Cox called it “pretty darn impressive” and said Villarreal would start again.
THREE DOWN
Entering a showdown with Boston, the Yankees played one of their sloppiest games, losing 12-2 to Baltimore, their seventh loss in 12 games. “We stunk today,” manager Joe Torre said. The lowlight: All-Stars Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter letting a popup fall between them.
Padres ace Jake Peavy took his career-high 12th loss as the Giants swept. The right-hander (6-12, 4.55) is having a poor season after leading the majors with a 2.27 ERA in ’04 and the NL with 216 strikeouts in ’05. “It’s up to us to have short memories and forget this series,” he said.
Colorado figured out Arizona’s Brandon Webb’s sinker pretty quick. Told by manager Clint Hurdle to stay away from anything that started belt-high or lower, the Rockies clubbed Webb (13-5) for six runs in the first two innings. He walked a season-high five in six innings.
