O’s take win in Hall exhibition
Minor leaguer Brian Bock hit a double and two home runs, including the first grand slam he could remember, to lead the Baltimore Orioles over the Toronto Blue Jays 13-7 Monday in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, N.Y.
In the home run derby prior to the game, Toronto’s Vernon Wells outlasted teammate Alex Rios in sudden-death overtime.
The 61st edition of the game was the lone in-season exhibition in the majors. The event at Doubleday Field used to coincide with the Hall’s induction weekend, but it became tougher to get teams to play then.
Bock was picked as MVP of the game just hours after learning he would start at catcher. He’s hit just one home run in eight games for the Frederick Keys of the Class A Carolina League.
Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci played right field for the Blue Jays the final five innings. He struck out swinging to lead off the sixth inning.
Buehrle clears the air
White Sox starter Mark Buehrle said there is no animosity between him and catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
Buehrle defended reserve catcher Toby Hall on Sunday after Pierzynski went on a Chicago radio station Friday and said he was disappointed because he wasn’t in the lineup for the interleague opener against the Cubs.
Those comments and ones by the show host led manager Ozzie Guillen to go on a profanity-laced outburst toward the host when he phoned in from his car.
Hall started in place of Pierzynski on Friday.
“I think it is disrespecting Toby,” Buehrle told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s kind of saying: ‘You can’t do your job.’ I don’t see where he has to be in there just because it’s a big rivalry. That doesn’t matter. He needs a day off. Whether it’s against the Cubs or anyone else, he needs a day off.”
Buehrle said he talked to Pierzynski and straightened things out.
Clearing the bases
Yankees rookie Phil Hughes threw 25 pitches in his first session on a half-mound since straining his left hamstring three weeks ago. … Texas activated outfielder Frank Catalanotto from the 15-day disabled. … The Rockies activated second baseman Kazuo Matsui. … White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye was ejected for arguing two called strikes.