Cleveland pulls off first triple steal since 1987
David Dellucci was minding his own business, taking a lead off third base. Next thing he knew, he was part of baseball history.
Triple steal!
Dellucci was on the front end of the rare play Tuesday night, taking advantage of a rundown on the other side of the diamond in the Cleveland Indians’ 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The last triple steal in the majors came on Oct. 1, 1987, when Atlanta did it against Houston.
Dellucci wasn’t sure why he was credited with a steal of home.
“If they want to give it to me, I’ll take it,” he said.
The Indians held a five-run lead in the sixth when they loaded the bases – Dellucci on third, Grady Sizemore on second and Jamey Carroll on first.
With Ben Francisco batting, White Sox pitcher Ehren Wasserman faked a throw to third and threw to first, trapping Carroll off the bag.
When Carroll briefly got caught in pickle, Dellucci broke home. First baseman Paul Konerko’s throw to catcher Toby Hall was in the dirt, allowing Dellucci to score.
Official scorer Chuck Murr credited all three runners with stolen bases.
Dinner with Dice-K?
Dinner with Dice-K can be yours if you’re willing to write a big check to his chosen charity.
Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is auctioning off a sushi dinner for five to benefit a children’s charity, Good Sports. The opening bid for the eBay auction that runs through June 7 was $1,000.
“Matsuzaka was to return to Boston Wednesday for more tests on his fatigued pitching shoulder, leaving at least his next start in jeopardy. He left his start in Seattle on Tuesday after four innings.
Clearing the bases
Slumping Reds outfielder Corey Patterson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. The Reds purchased the contract of infielder Andy Phillips. … Cardinals pitcher Joel Pineiro was put on the 15-day DL because of a strained right groin. … Reliever Jorge Sosa, released a week ago by the Mets, signed a minor league contract with the Astros. … Rockies minor league catcher Humberto Cota was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. … Bret Boone has decided to retire again after a brief stint in the Nationals’ farm system. … Commissioner Bud Selig announced the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will host the 2010 All-Star Game.