Phils’ Rollins extends streak

NOTES

Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins singled in the third inning against Cincinnati on Saturday night to extend his hitting streak to 29 games, tying the major league season high set by Boston’s Johnny Damon from June 10-July 17.

With one out in the third inning and the Phillies trailing 1-0, Rollins singled sharply past third baseman Edwin Encarnacion

Rollins’ streak is the second longest in Phillies history, two games shorter than Ed Delahanty’s in 1899.

Short needs surgery

Rick Short, the 32-year-old minor leaguer who flirted with batting .400 at Triple-A New Orleans and finally reached the majors this season, will have surgery today to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Harden may be ready

Right-hander Rich Harden could be available to pitch for the Oakland Athletics out of the bullpen as soon as today after being sidelined more than a month with a strained muscle below his throwing shoulder.

Smoltz sidelined

Frustrated by stiffness in his right shoulder, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz would like to rest before the playoffs if his team clinches the National League East before his scheduled start Wednesday.

Yankees draw 4 million

The New York Yankees surpassed the 4 million mark in home attendance, becoming the third major league franchise to reach the milestone.

The Yankees drew a crowd of 53,911 for a 7-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, boosting their season total to 4,035,560 fans with one home game remaining.

The only other teams to draw 4 million were the Blue Jays in 1992 and ‘93, and the Colorado Rockies in ‘93 – their first season.

“It’s an incredible achievement, particularly when I remember that when I bought the Yankees, we had trouble drawing 1 million to the stadium. We have the greatest fans in the world,” owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement.