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Wednesday, July 30, 2003

By Paul Meyer, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

San Diego Padres vs. Pirates, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park. TV: Fox Sports Net. Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network. RHP Brian Lawrence (5-12) will start for the Padres; RHP Kip Wells (4-4) will start for the Pirates.

Jason Kendall yesterday began his three-game suspension for his part in the Pirates' scrum with Tampa Bay June 14, perhaps aware that he could wind up sitting out the final three games of his Pirates career. "I don't worry about those kinds of things," Kendall said. Kendall probably doesn't have to worry about being dealt to San Diego by tomorrow's 4 p.m. trading deadline. A source close to the talks between the Pirates and Padres yesterday indicated there was "a low probability" of a deal getting done within the next two days. The Pirates have made a proposal to the Padres that would send Kendall and LF Brian Giles to San Diego. It's believed the Pirates have asked for 3B Sean Burroughs and RHP Jake Peavy, among other names being discussed, and the Padres consider those two untouchables. There's also the situation with Kendall's contract, which guarantees him $42 million over four years. It's thought the Pirates would be willing to pay perhaps $12 million of that $42 million. The Padres would like to have the Pirates pay considerably more than that, maybe as much as $26 million.

Kendall's suspension was handed down by Bob DuPuy, president and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball. Kendall never did have a hearing, although he did appeal the suspension through a faxed letter. "I could say a lot of negative things," Kendall said. "I know I'm right in what I did. And if I had to do it over again, I'd do the same thing." In that June 14 game, Tampa Bay's Marlon Anderson was hit by a pitch and took offense. As Anderson and Kendall walked down the first-base line, Anderson shoved Kendall with his forearm, and Kendall retaliated. Anderson received a two-game suspension. "It's really a shame," Kendall said. "This is one of the reasons baseball has its problems. It's not the same game it was 20 years ago. It kind of makes me laugh. It's really, really amazing."

RHP Kris Benson, who reported discomfort in his right shoulder, will begin seeking opinions from orthopedist James Andrews (based in Birmingham, Ala.) and Craig Morgan (Delaware) today. "I've had a few doctors tell me that with my symptoms I can jeopardize myself," Benson said. "I hope they don't find anything, but I have a feeling it will be a little different [than that]." If Benson needs surgery, he would miss at least the rest of this season.

SS Jack Wilson was out of the lineup again last night because of a strained left groin, but he should be ready to play tonight.

The Pirates promoted C/1B Chris Shelton from Class A Lynchburg to Class AA Altoona Monday. They also promoted OF Jorge Cortes from Class A Hickory to Lynchburg. Cortes went 1 for 4 in his Lynchburg debut Monday. At Hickory, Cortes led the South Atlantic League with a .325 batting average and a .427 on-base percentage. He had eight home runs and 66 RBIs, which tied him for second in the league. He also was second with 112 hits and tied for fourth with 24 doubles.

RHP Brandon Lyon, the reliever the Pirates acquired from Boston in the Scott Sauerbeck trade July 22, was in the Pirates' clubhouse yesterday receiving treatment for a frayed ligament in his right elbow. That injury surfaced the day after the trade was made, although the Red Sox claimed Lyon was healthy at the time of the trade. Lyon remains on the Pirates' disabled list while General Managers Dave Littlefield and Theo Epstein try to resolve the issue.

NASHVILLE (62-45) was rained out at Colorado Springs. IF Rob Mackowiak has a .220 batting average, one home run and 13 RBIs in 150 at-bats. OF Rich Thompson, acquired from Toronto three weeks ago, is hitting .364 in 44 at-bats and has stolen 11 bases in 14 attempts.

ALTOONA (60-46) beat New Britain, 2-0. Starter Tom Fordham (4-1) allowed six hits and no walks and struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings. Todd Ozias got his 17th save. 2B Jose Castillo had two hits, raising his average to .284, and an RBI. 3B Kevin Nicholson had three hits. 1B Chris Shelton was 0 for 3 in his Altoona debut after being promoted from Lynchburg.

LYNCHBURG (54-46) lost at Winston-Salem, 4-1. Starter Alex Hart (2-3) allowed six hits, three walks and four runs in six innings. 1B Walter Young had two hits, raising his average to .268. RF Victor Buttler had two hits.

HICKORY (66-38) won at Delmarva, 2-1. Starter Jonathan Albaladejo (8-4) allowed three hits, no walks and a run in 6 2/3 innings. Carlos De Los Santos got his seventh save. LF Chaz Lytle, 1B Brad Eldred and 3B Ryan Newman each had two hits. CF Rajai Davis, batting .298, stole his 33rd base.

WILLIAMSPORT (26-14) lost at Brooklyn, 2-1. Starter Russ Bayer (1-1) allowed five hits, two walks and two runs in 5 1/3 innings. LF Anthony Bocchino had a hit and an RBI.

BRADENTON (21-13) beat the Phillies, 3-2. Starter Kyle Pearson allowed two hits, two walks and no runs in four innings. Mark Michael got his fourth save. 3B John Santiago had two hits and an RBI. 1B Michael Carlin had a hit and scored two runs.