Green awed by Beltre’s production
Shawn Green holds the Dodger single-season record for home runs with 49, has hit at least 40 home runs three times and has had several teammates accomplish the feat.
But Green said he’s in awe of Adrian Beltre’s production in the third baseman’s 42-homer season.
“The stuff Belly has done this year, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Green said. “When we’ve needed a big home run, at any point in the game, he has been virtually automatic all year.
“Whether it’s eighth- and ninth-inning home runs to tie the score or take the lead, or a three-run homer early to get us back in the game when we’re down five or six runs, Belly has come through. …
“I’ve been on a lot of teams where guys have hit 40-plus home runs, and nothing compares to this.”
If Beltre maintains his pace and the Los Angeles Dodgers win the National League West, Green said Beltre should be selected the league’s most valuable player.
“This team wouldn’t be in first place without Belly,” Green said. “There are a lot of guys having great years, but Belly is the biggest reason the offense is doing what it’s doing this year.”
Ankiel solid in rehab start, unsure about future
Rick Ankiel’s long journey back to the majors may be nearing its completion.
More that three years since he threw his last pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals, Ankiel gave up one unearned run and one hit in six innings Sunday for Triple-A Memphis in what could be his final start in the minors.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has said the team would consider calling up Ankiel when rosters expand for September.
Ankiel said he hasn’t heard anything about his possible call-up, but thinks he would be ready if it happened.
Clement leaves game with neck strain
Cubs starter Matt Clement left Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros with an upper back and neck strain.
Clement was visited on the mound by Chicago manager Dusty Baker and team trainer Dave Groeschner with one out in the fifth inning. He allowed a solo homer to Lance Berkman and retired Jeff Kent on a grounder before leaving.
He pitched 41/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.
Giambi takes batting practice
Yankees slugger Jason Giambi took batting practice for the first time Sunday since being diagnosed with a benign tumor last month.
Giambi took 22 swings during the session in a batting cage. He also increased his outside running program and might run the bases Tuesday.
•Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield missed Sunday’s against the Toronto Blue Jays with a sprained left ankle and is listed as day to day.
He hobbled off the field in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game after spraining the ankle while landing on third base. X-rays were negative.
Around the league
The Royals have used a team-record 55 players this season, and rosters expand Wednesday. Every position player on Kansas City’s opening day roster has spent some time on the disabled list this season, except for former center fielder Carlos Beltran, who got traded to Houston at midseason… . The Royals were 0-7 against Anaheim, the first season series sweep in the Angels’ 44-year history… . Devil Rays shortstop B.J. Upton and pitcher Scott Kazmir are the first 20-year-old teammates in the majors since July 1993, when pitcher Mike Hampton and outfielder Marc Newfield were together on the Mariners… . With Kenny Lofton joining teammates John Olerud, Gary Sheffield, Ruben Sierra and Bernie Williams as a member of the 2,000 hits club last week, the Yankees are the first A.L. team to have five players with at least that many hits. In the N.L., the Reds had five 2,000-hit players in 1985 (Buddy Bell, Cesar Cedeno, Dave Concepcion, Tony Perez, Pete Rose) and ‘86 (Bell, Concepcion, Perez, Rose, Dave Parker)… . Devil Rays center fielder Carl Crawford began play Saturday leading the A.L. in triples (17) and stolen bases (50). The last time a player led his league in both categories was 1995, when Kenny Lofton hit 13 triples and stole 54 bases for the Indians. It hasn’t happened in the N.L. since 1968, when Lou Brock of the Cardinals hit 14 triples and stole 62 bases.