Reyes becomes ninth Met to hit for cycle
New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes hit for the cycle Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the ninth player in club history to accomplish the feat.
Reyes hit his fourth career leadoff homer to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He doubled in the third, tripled in the fifth and grounded a single into center in the ninth.
The Shea Stadium crowd cheered wildly as Reyes stood on first in the ninth and the scoreboard in right-center recognized the accomplishment.
The last player to hit for the cycle for the Mets was Eric Valent, who did it on July 29, 2004, in New York’s 10-1 win over the Montreal Expos.
Clemens takes mound tonight
Roger Clemens is prepared for his 2006 major league debut tonight at Houston against the Minnesota Twins, just 23 days and three minor league starts after rejoining the Astros.
His first start comes exactly eight months after his last major league appearance, when he left Game 1 of the World Series with a strained hamstring.
Clemens re-signed with the Astros for a one-year contract worth $22,000,022 to play his 23rd major league season. Since he joined the team late, he’ll get about $12.25 million.
Guillen apologizes to writer
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen apologized for using a derogatory term in referring to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti, then kept up his criticism of the writer.
Guillen went into a profanity-laced tirade against Mariotti before Tuesday night’s game against St. Louis and called him a number of names, including a derogatory term that is often used to describe someone’s sexual orientation.
Guillen acknowledged that his use of the word might have offended some.
“I shouldn’t have mentioned the name that was mentioned, but I’m not going to back off of Jay,” Guillen said, using another profanity to describe Mariotti.
“The word I used, I should have used something different. A lot of people’s feelings were hurt and I didn’t mean it that way.”
Clearing the bases
Albert Pujols should be ready to come off the disabled list and play by Monday when St. Louis opens a three-game series at home against Cleveland, manager Tony La Russa said. … Center fielder Jim Edmonds left St. Louis’ game against the White Sox with a slight concussion after crashing into the wall trying to rob Joe Crede of a home run leading off the third. … Pittsburgh officially signed right-hander Brad Lincoln of Houston, the No. 4 pick in the draft. The team agreed to terms with Lincoln last week, but the official announcement was delayed so Lincoln could receive the 20th annual Dick Howser Trophy, an award given to the 2006 college baseball player of the year. … Boston obtained pitcher Jason Johnson, one day after the right-hander was designated for assignment by Cleveland. … Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo testified in a probe headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell to investigate the use of steroids in baseball. … Veteran umpire Jerry Crawford will work behind the plate at the 77th All-Star game on July 11 at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. He’ll be joined by Randy Marsh (first base), Fieldin Culbreth (second base), Jeff Nelson (third base), Mike Everitt (left field) and Alfonso Marquez (right field).