THREE UP
Gabe Kapler may be the best former minor-league manager ever. Kapler homered again Sunday, his fourth in 26 at-bats, in the Brewers’ win over the Mets. Kapler managed in Class A last year.
Brian Bannister didn’t keep the Royals’fielders out long in 29-degree weather, working quickly to get his second complete game in beating the Twins 5-1 and improving to 3-0 with an ERA of 0.86.
Jeff Niemann gave up one run in six innings in his major-league debut. The 6-foot-9-inch Rays righty, picked fourth in the 2004 draft, gave up six hits and had five strikeouts to beat the Orioles.
THREE DOWN
Brian Burres would rather not face the Rays again. After allowing six runs Sunday in a 6-2 loss, Burres has given up 22 earned runs in 161/3 innings against Tampa Bay in his career.
Andruw Jones struck out two more times in two at-bats against the Padres, dropping his average to .100 in his first season with the Dodgers. Jones has struck out 14 times in 40 at-bats this year.
Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. not only went 0-for-4 in a 9-1 loss to the Pirates, he stranded five runners in the process. Griffey has one home run and six RBIs so far on the season..
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EDITED BY BOB FOLTMAN AND DANIEL ELLMAN
