Astros hang up No. 5

The Houston Astros retired Jeff Bagwell’s No. 5 jersey before their game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

“This is an amazing day,” said Bagwell, who played his entire 15-year career with Houston. “To have your number retired, I really can’t believe it.”

Bagwell, a first baseman who entered the big leagues in 1991, finished with 449 home runs and a .297 average.

Bagwell is the eighth former Astro to have his number retired. The others are Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker, Jose Cruz, Don Wilson and Jim Umbricht.

Shearn makes debut

Two days shy of his 30th birthday, pitcher Tom Shearn made his long awaited major league debut for the Reds, earning a win over the Marlins.

The right-hander grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and bounced around the minors for 11 seasons and 352 appearances before being called up from Triple-A Louisville.

He’s the oldest Reds pitcher to make his big-league debut since 1956.

Clearing the bases

The New York Mets designated catcher, and former Spokane Indian, Sandy Alomar Jr. for assignment. Manager Willie Randolph said the club will activate catcher Paul Lo Duca today. … Derek Jeter had a sore right knee and was not in the starting lineup for the Yankees’ game against the Tigers. Manager Joe Torre was not sure if he would miss more than Sunday’s game.