Ken Griffey Jr. hit the 574th homer of his career Friday, moving the outfielder one ahead of Harmon Killebrew for eighth place on the career list. Griffey’s solo shot was his 10th in May, the most in the majors. Mark McGwire is seventh on the home run list with 583.
Every 20 years or so, Jamie Moyer beats the Braves. Moyer’s win Friday came 20 years and two days after the only other time he beat the Braves–on May 23, 1987, in relief for the Cubs. Moyer, 44, had never won in Atlanta and had lost six straight decisions to the Braves.
Dan Haren pitched seven innings of two-hit ball for his fifth straight victory in the A’s 3-2 win over Orioles. Haren (5-2) gave up a first-inning run, then allowed only two baserunners over the next six innings. He struck out three and walked one. His ERA fell to 1.70.
THREE DOWN
Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez will miss the rest of the season and at least half of 2008 after learning he must have reconstructive elbow surgery. Gonzalez said he had a small tear in a ligament below his left elbow. “This is the worst news you can get,” Gonzalez said.
Blue Jays rookie Jesse Litsch was roughed up in a 4-3 loss to the Twins. He has been very hittable in his last two appearances and could be sent to the minors. Litsch, 22, took a 2-1 lead into the fifth that was lost when he gave up a two-run homer to Michael Cuddyer.
Gil Meche gave up 11 hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings, his poorest outing in 11 starts, in a 10-2 loss to the Mariners. Meche’s ERA climbed from 2.44, third best in the league, to 3.18. He had to leave in the fifth inning with tightness in the lower back, according to the team.
