Tavarez’s hat object of scrutiny

Julian Tavarez’s beat-up, smudged cap keeps getting him in trouble.

Twice in the last month, before he’s been able to throw his first pitch, the St. Louis Cardinals’ reliever has had his grimy headwear checked.

Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa had umpires take a long look earlier this month, and on Thursday plate umpire Ed Montague had Tavarez swap the cap for a teammate’s new model.

Tavarez, 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 18 appearances with one save, says the moves are gamesmanship.

“Every team does this because they are struggling, so they always try to mess with my mind,” he said. “They’re hoping I’ll get a little crazy out there and make a mistake in a pitch and leave it out over the plate and they hit a home run. It didn’t work.”

But Tavarez, known for his willingness to brush back hitters, issued his own warning.

“I’m just saying one day, the game is going to be 6-1 and I’ll get a little, you know, sad in there and something will happen,” he said. “But they know what they’re doing.

“They don’t do this if the game is 6-1 or 7-1. Every time the game is on the line it’s, ‘Check his hat.’ What am I going to do? Breathe in and breathe out, take one day after another.”

Tavarez ended up wearing teammate Roger Cedeno’s hat while throwing 11/3 hitless innings Thursday, keeping the game close in a 6-5 loss to the Braves.

Expos, Vidro close to $30 million, four-year extension

Jose Vidro is close to signing a $30 million, four-year contract extension with the Montreal Expos.

“Last week, everything worked out very good,” the All-Star second baseman said Friday night before the Expos’ game against Arizona. “It should be done pretty soon.”

Vidro, eligible for free agency after the season, told his agents earlier this year not to call unless the deal was completed. The sides have agreed on the dollars but are still negotiating language.

“If it’s done it’s done,” Vidro said. “If not, I’ll just keep playing.”

Astros’ manager Williams suspended for one game

Houston manager Jimy Williams was suspended for one game and fined after a tirade against umpires during a game in Atlanta last weekend.

Williams served the suspension Friday night, when the Astros played the Mets.

Williams was ejected from last Saturday’s game after umpires ruled Atlanta’s Jesse Garcia was grazed on the helmet by a pitch from Houston’s Roy Oswalt.

Plate umpire Gary Darling didn’t make a call but consulted with second-base umpire Rob Drake, who ruled Garcia had been hit, sparking a two-run eighth that tied the game 3-3.

Williams was livid, spinning away from Darling several times to go after Drake, and was ejected.

• Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon was suspended for Friday night’s game against San Francisco because of his actions during a game last weekend.

McClendon was penalized for “inappropriate conduct” during the 10th inning of Sunday’s game against Los Angeles, according to Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline.

McClendon was ejected by plate umpire Larry Young for arguing balls and strikes after Bobby Hill appeared to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt.

Portland outlines finance plan for owner’s meetings

Hoping to attract a major league baseball team, Portland city officials have outlined a finance plan that would provide $340 million toward a new ballpark.

Portland is one of several areas vying to become the new home of the Montreal Expos. League owners could narrow the list when they meet next week in New York.

The finance plan nearly meets the projected $350 million cost of a new ballpark. Baseball officials have said they want financing for a new stadium in place before deciding where to relocate the team.

Leiter to miss next start

New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter will miss his next scheduled start because of tendinitis in his left shoulder.

Leiter was examined Friday by team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito in New York. The left-hander had an MRI and was given a cortisone shot. He planned to rejoin the Mets in Houston today.

Leiter (1-2) was not placed on the disabled list and is expected to pitch next weekend against Colorado.

• Philadelphia Phillies closer Billy Wagner was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.

The move was made retroactive to May 7.

Acquired from Houston in an off-season trade, Wagner is 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA and eight saves. The hard-throwing left-hander has 21 strikeouts in 15 innings spanning 13 appearances.

To fill Wagner’s spot, the Phillies purchased the contract of right-hander Brian Powell from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Powell was in uniform for Friday night’s game against Colorado.

• The Blue Jays activated right-hander Bob File from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.