Notebook : Dunn gets help on home run
Blame it on the wintry wind.
Adam Dunn’s wind-blown fly ball deflected off Xavier Nady’s glove and cleared the wall for a two-run homer Saturday, a goofy play that set the tone for the Cincinnati Reds’ 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in body-numbing conditions at Cincinnati.
Dunn hit a high fly in the first inning off Tony Armas (0-1), sending Nady drifting back toward the wall. He got to the right spot and reached with his glove about a foot in front of the wall.
His aim was perfect: The ball landed right in the pocket. Unfortunately, it shot right out before he could close the glove, then cleared the wall and landed in the lap of a gray-coated fan who hadn’t even bothered to stand up.
“I couldn’t believe it hit right in the middle and just shot right out,” Nady said. “It kept drifting. That’s no excuse. It was still there right in the middle of my glove. I’ve got to make that play.”
Nady yanked off his glove, dropped his head and put his hands on his hips in disbelief while Dunn rounded the bases. Dunn broke into a smile when he reached the dugout and was congratulated by teammates.
Sosa homers
Sammy Sosa hit his first home run since 2005, a two-run shot for the Texas Rangers against Boston at Arlington, Texas.
Sosa hit the first pitch he saw from reliever J.C. Romero in the sixth inning into the left-center field seats. The 409-foot shot was his 589th homer, fifth on the career list.
It was Sosa’s first home run at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the 43rd different stadium where he has homered.
Sanchez activated
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated N.L. batting champion Freddy Sanchez off the 15-day disabled list, reuniting him with the team in time for the final game of a series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Sanchez, who hit .344 last season, sprained his right knee while turning a double play in a game on March 6.
Gagne pitches again
Rangers closer Eric Gagne threw 17 pitches in another minor league game in Frisco, Texas, the first time in nearly two years the former Cy Young Award winner pitched in games on consecutive days.