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No apology from Beltran

The New York Mets’ Carlos Beltran hangs his head on the dugout rail during a game in Pittsburgh. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
The New York Mets’ Carlos Beltran hangs his head on the dugout rail during a game in Pittsburgh. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

First, Carlos Beltran said he was embarrassed to be swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam LaRoche responded by saying Beltran was showing “zero class.”

It was Beltran’s turn Saturday, with the New York Mets center fielder dismissing LaRoche’s comments.

“What I said was as a team we should all feel embarrassed, because, being honest, I don’t care what he said,” Beltran said before the Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals in Washington. “I believe we’re a better team than them. I don’t care what he said. I know that we could have won the first game and there’s no excuse why we would have lost that one. If we would have won that one, I tell you we would have won one or two more. There’s no doubt.”

The Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the Mets on Thursday. When LaRoche heard Beltran was embarrassed, he took umbrage.

“I think it shows zero class and zero professionalism,” LaRoche said Friday. “When somebody says that, they know what they’re saying, and they know it’s going to get out. He knows we’re not going to be real happy about it. If you go and say that to your buddies, it’s one thing. If you go to the media and make that public for us to hear? Yeah, that’s no class.”

Clearing the bases

John Smoltz allowed one hit and one run while pitching six innings for the Pawtucket Red Sox in a rehab start against the Durham Bulls in Pawtucket, R.I. The rehab start was the Boston Red Sox right-hander’s fourth overall but his first for Pawtucket and his longest to date. … Baseball’s worst pitching staff is changing closers yet again. Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta said that Joel Hanrahan has lost the wrap-up job for the second time this season. Former Spokane Indian Mike MacDougal, who was working on a minor league contract a little more than a week ago, will take over the role. … Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis is going on the disabled list after undergoing an appendectomy. Manager Dave Trembley has been told by the team’s medical staff that Izturis likely will be sidelined for two to three weeks.