Baseball notebook: Rays reach 100 homers, steals

The Tampa Bay Rays became the fastest team to reach 100 homers and 100 steals by the All-Star break when B.J. Upton homered in the third of inning of Sunday’s game against Florida at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Upton’s solo homer on the first pitch in the bottom of the third off Andrew Miller was the Rays’ 100th this season. Tampa Bay, which started Sunday with 116 stolen bases, accomplished the feat in 77 games. The previous fastest were Cincinnati (1977) and Cleveland (1994), which both did it in 84 games according to Stats LLC.

The only other two teams to reach that mark by the All-Star break since 1954 were the Marlins (2003) and the Blue Jays (1998).

Plan for Hamilton

Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will begin his comeback from abdominal surgery as the designated hitter for Double-A Frisco.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Hamilton, who last played May 31, will lead off and get as many at-bats as possible for the RoughRiders tonight in their last game before the Double-A All-Star break.

Hamilton, who had surgery June 9, will then work out with the Rangers on Tuesday. If all goes well, he will join Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday in Iowa and play multiple games there, including in the outfield.

“There have been no setbacks,” Daniels said. “It has been a positive rehab so far.”

Daniels said Hamilton took another round of batting practice Sunday before the Rangers played San Diego. Hamilton also ran the bases again, and even slid into bases.

Hamilton could rejoin the Rangers as early as next weekend against Toronto.

Church ailing

Ryan Church was removed from the Mets’ depleted lineup Sunday night because he felt nauseated, leaving New York without yet another regular starter.

Fernando Tatis replaced Church in the order.