Third game of A.L. series has frosty forecast
Nick Swisher trotted out to right field and, with freak October flurries swirling at Comerica Park, plopped onto his back and began making mock snow angels.
Only for a minute, though. Shivering, the Oakland first baseman put on his ski cap and retreated to the dugout Thursday, when Detroit was hit with its earliest snowfall ever.
Welcome to baseball’s winter wonderland, aka Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, where the forecast is calling for fastballs, curveballs and … snowballs.
The Tigers, leading 2-0 in the best-of-7 matchup, and Athletics got somewhat of a break when today’s start time was moved from 8:19 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST).
A combination of factors figured into that decision by the commissioner’s office – the local conditions, a rainout that took away a travel day in the National League Championship Series, and TV ratings.
Pitchers notoriously have a tougher time gripping the ball in chillier climates, especially ones that rely more on touch and feel, such as Detroit starter Kenny Rogers.
Fresh off his shutout effort against the New York Yankees in the first round, Rogers will be opposed by hard-throwing Rich Harden, a native of British Columbia who keeps hockey sticks at his locker in Oakland.
La Russa turns to Carpenter
The numbers say Tony La Russa is taking a risk, but the St. Louis Cardinals manager doesn’t see it that way.
With a Wednesday rainout pushing back the start of the National League Championship Series to Thursday night, La Russa decided to shuffle his pitching rotation and get ace Chris Carpenter to the mound a day earlier.
Instead of starting Game 3 on Saturday night in St. Louis, Carpenter will pitch Game 2 tonight at Shea Stadium on his customary four days’ rest.
“It’s as simple as he’s our best pitcher and it’s his fifth day,” La Russa said in explaining his decision. “It seems to make sense. That’s when he’s been geared to pitch all year long. He should pitch.”
The move puts Carpenter in place to pitch Game 6, if necessary.
Rijo denies report
Washington Nationals special assistant to the general manager Jose Rijo denied a published report that he told a radio station that Alfonso Soriano had rejected a $70 million, five-year contract.
“We have a meeting with Soriano this week, because we still want him to be on the team,” Rijo told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
Rijo denied telling radio station 91.9 FM, based in San Cristobal, that the Nationals would not be able to sign Soriano for economic reasons. Thursday editions of the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario quoted Rijo as telling 91.9 FM: “It’s almost impossible this great player will stay on our payroll.”
Soriano can test the free-agency market. He played last season for Washington under a one-year, $10 million deal.
The Dominican slugger is coming off the best season of his career, becoming the first 40-40-40 player (home runs-steals-doubles) in major league history.
Nationals president Stan Kasten declined to comment on the status of Soriano’s contract, but said Rijo also had told the Nationals he did not make the comments attributed to him.
Clearing the bases
Milwaukee catcher Damian Miller exercised his $2.25 million option for 2007. In addition to his base salary, he can earn an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses. Milwaukee had passed on a $3.75 million club option. In addition, the Brewers released right-hander Geremi Gonzalez. … San Diego released infielders Mark Bellhorn and Manny Alexander, and right-hander Scott Williamson, and claimed left-hander Justin Hampson from the Colorado Rockies. … New Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez lifted a ban on facial hair, imposed by his predecessor Joe Girardi. … Kansas City claimed relief pitcher Ken Ray off waivers from Atlanta.