Notebook: Morneau, Twins hit big
Justin Morneau took a swing at history, but settled for a career game.
Morneau homered three times in the second game of a day-night doubleheader and the Minnesota Twins capped a huge day on offense by routing the Chicago White Sox 12-0 on Friday night.
“Those are just days you put in your memory bank and don’t expect them to happen,” Morneau said.
Morneau became the fourth Twins player to hit three home runs in a game, and Minnesota hit six in all in the nightcap to complete the sweep. The Twins won 20-14 in the opener of the day-night doubleheader.
The 34 runs were the most since May 19, 1999, when Cincinnati beat Colorado 24-12, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“Catcher Mike Redmond (Gonzaga Prep/Gonzaga University) suffered a bloody gash on his head after Chicago’s Jim Thome accidentally hit him in the head with his bat in the first inning of the second game.
The catcher got seven stitches at the ballpark but said he’s fine.
McClatchy leaving post
Kevin McClatchy, a newspaper heir who likely prevented the Pirates from leaving Pittsburgh by assembling an ownership group in 1996, is stepping down as the team’s chief executive officer at the end of the season.
Extortionist sentenced
George Edwards, a 49-year old Illinois man accused of trying to extort $150,000 from former St. Louis Cardinal Ronnie Belliard after claiming the player impregnated the man’s daughter, was sentenced to one year and one day by a U.S. District Court judge in St. Louis..
Clearing the bases
The Atlanta Braves placed pitcher John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI found inflammation in his right shoulder. … The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Bill Hall on the 15-day disabled list with a high right ankle sprain. … The Chicago White Sox placed former Spokane Indians reliever Mike MacDougal on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. … The Oakland Athletics activated right-hander Kiko Calero, formerly of the Spokane Indians, from the 15-day disabled list. … The Kansas City Royals activated second baseman Mark Grudzielanek from the disabled list.