Griffey hits homer No. 599
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 599th career homer Saturday off Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens, a two-run shot that left him one away from an elite mark.
Griffey’s homer in the first inning was a breakthrough for the Cincinnati Reds outfielder, who has been having trouble getting those last few to 600. He would become the sixth to reach the mark, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.
The 38-year-old outfielder came into the season needing only seven to get to 600. He hit No. 597 on April 23 at Great American Ball Park, where the club has been promoting his quest for 600.
Then, Griffey went 90 at-bats before getting his next homer, in San Diego on May 22. It was the second-longest drought of his career.
He had gone 29 at-bats without a homer before he connected on Saturday in his first at-bat against Jurrjens, who became the 383rd pitcher to give up a homer to Griffey.
Estes breaks thumb
San Diego Padres left-hander Shawn Estes broke the thumb on his throwing hand when he fell on the tunnel stairs between the team’s clubhouse and dugout Friday night at San Francisco.
The Padres placed the pitcher on the 15-day disabled list after X-rays late Friday revealed the broken bone, a discouraging development for a player who was on his way back. The 35-year-old Estes was scheduled to start Monday back home at Petco Park in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs.
Estes, who didn’t pitch in the majors last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled to be examined by a hand specialist Monday in San Diego to determine whether he might need surgery to have a pin inserted into the thumb or if it can heal on its own.
Jennings has surgery
Rangers right-hander Jason Jennings underwent season-ending elbow surgery for the second straight year.
Team physician Keith Meister performed the surgery Friday to repair Jennings’ right flexor tendon, manager Ron Washington said.
The 2002 National League Rookie of the Year had the same surgery last August while he was with the Houston Astros.