A-Rod tops 2,000 RBIs
Alex Rodriguez has joined Hank Aaron as the only players in major league history with 2,000 career RBIs.
Rodriguez hit a two-run homer Saturday night for the New York Yankees in a 9-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The sixth-inning drive off Bud Norris lifted A-Rod’s career RBI total to 2,001.
Hank Aaron ranks first on the career list with 2,297 RBIs.
It was the 666th career home run for Rodriguez, fourth on baseball’s all-time list behind Babe Ruth, Aaron and Barry Bonds.
Twins call up top prospect Buxton
Minnesota Twins top prospect Byron Buxton is getting called up to the major leagues.
The Twins announced Saturday their plan to select Buxton’s contract from Double-A Chattanooga, and that the outfielder will be in uniform today for the finale of a three-game series in Texas.
In 59 games for Chattanooga this season, Buxton hit .283 with seven doubles, 12 triples and six home runs. He also had 20 stolen bases and 37 RBIs. Buxton was playing this weekend at Birmingham.
Buxton was the second overall pick in the 2012 amateur baseball draft, behind shortstop Carlos Correa, who made his major league debut for Houston on Monday.
The 21-year-old Buxton is regarded by many as the top prospect in the minors.
• Twins outfielder Torii Hunter dropped the appeal of his two-game suspension and started serving it Saturday.
Major League Baseball on Friday suspended Hunter and also fined him an undisclosed amount for his equipment-throwing tantrum during Wednesday’s home game against Kansas City.
Clearing the bases
Giants rookie Chris Heston faces the Diamondbacks today in his first start since pitching a no-hitter at the Mets. The 27-year-old righty accomplished the feat in his 13th major league start, and didn’t throw a pitch over 91 mph. … The Blue Jays go for their 11th straight win today, which would match the team’s best streak since an 11-game run in June 2013. … White Sox star Chris Sale will try to become the first pitcher to strike out at least 12 in four straight starts since Pedro Martinez in 2001. He goes against Tampa Bay, which has won seven in a row vs. left-handed starters. … Astros second baseman Jose Altuve could return to the starting lineup for the series finale vs. Seattle. The All-Star strained his right hamstring trying to beat out a grounder Friday and didn’t start Saturday. … The Royals placed a starting pitcher on the 15-day disabled list, but not the one many had been expecting. The move with lefty Jason Vargas, who has a strained left forearm, is backdated to June 9. Manager Ned Yost is hopeful Yordano Ventura, who was removed because of right-hand weakness Friday night, can make his next start. Vargas (5-2), who underwent an MRI exam Friday that showed inflammation, lasted only a half-dozen pitches in a side session. … Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. The ambidextrous Venditte pitched in four games and allowed one hit with four strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.