Thome climbs by Killebrew
Minnesota Twins slugger Jim Thome homered in his first two at-bats Saturday to pass Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew for 10th place on the career list with 574 home runs.
Thome hit a 1-0 pitch from Tampa Bay starter Wade Davis to the opposite field in the second inning and it just barely reached the seats in left for his ninth homer of the season.
“I talked to Jim quite a bit when I was in spring training,” Killebrew said from Arizona after Thome’s first homer. “I told him, ’Don’t feel bad if you pass me up, because I passed up a lot of guys in my career.”’
Thome did just that in the fourth inning, hitting a no-doubter that landed in the bullpen in left-center field. The team played a previously taped message from Killebrew, one of the most beloved players in franchise history, congratulating Thome on the achievement.
“I’m glad he was able to hit it in a Twins uniform,” Killebrew said. “I only wish I could have been there to see it.”
Dodgers shelve Ramirez again
The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Manny Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list because of lingering problems with his right hamstring.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday, when he strained the hamstring in the first inning against San Francisco. It’s Ramirez’s second stint on the DL this season. Ramirez is batting .322 with 39 RBIs.
Clearing the bases
The Oakland Athletics have placed left-hander Dallas Braden on the 15-day disabled list because of elbow stiffness. Braden, who hasn’t pitched since June 22, was scratched from his scheduled start in Baltimore on Tuesday. … The St. Louis Cardinals have placed outfielder Ryan Ludwick on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf and recalled outfielder Jon Jay from Triple-A Memphis. Ludwick had a setback Friday on a treadmill during a workout, and had missed nine of the previous 10 games. … The Minnesota Twins activated shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list. Manager Ron Gardenhire placed him in the starting lineup on Saturday, and Hardy went 2 for 4. … The San Diego Padres have placed right fielder Will Venable on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained lower back.