AL Notes: Papelbon ties mark with ninth save

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND -- Boston Red Sox closer Jon Papelbon has not allowed a run in his first 12 1/3 innings -- the longest scoreless stretch by a Boston rookie to open a season since Vaughn Eshelman's 18-inning streak from May 2-13, 1995.

After pitching another scoreless ninth inning in the Red Sox's 8-6 win over Cleveland on Tuesday, Papelbon recorded his ninth save to tie the major league record for saves by a rookie in April, set by Kansas City's Mike MacDougal in 2003.

He is just the third pitcher in history to have at least eight saves in April without having any in his career at the start of the month.

The others were MacDougal and the Dodgers' Eric Gagne in 2002.

SHORT HOPS: Devil Rays LF Carl Crawford missed the game against the Yankees to attend his grandmother's funeral in Houston, and 2B Jorge Cantu did not start because of a sore foot. Crawford is expected to rejoin the team today. Cantu will be examined today. ... Athletics RF Milton Bradley left against the Rangers in the middle of the fourth inning after jamming his right knee when he slid back into first base on a pickoff attempt. ... Orioles 2B Brian Roberts returned to the lineup after missing one game with a left hip flexor injury. ... Twins LF Shannon Stewart was back in left field after missing four games for the birth of his daughter in Miami. ... Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo says he's heard the team is close to signing 3B Melvin Mora to a contract extension. ... Jeremy Bonderman, who turns 24 in October, needs 52 strikeouts to join Denny McLain and Hal Newhouser as the only Tigers pitchers to record 500 strikeouts before their 24th birthday. ... Orioles RHP Rodrigo Lopez (1-2) has allowed at least four runs in each of his five starts.

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