NEW YORK (AP) - New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez isthe seventh player in major league history to hit 600 home runs,reaching the milestone in yesterday's 5-1 win over Toronto. A-Rodhad gone 12 games and 46 at-bats without a homer before his two-runblast in the first put the Yanks ahead to stay. At 35, he is theyoungest player to reach 600 home runs.
DENVER (AP) - Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez (oo-BAHL'-dohhee-MEHN'-ehz) picked up his major league-leading 17th victory ofthe season in yesterday's 6-1 triumph over San Francisco. Jimenezgave up a run and four hits while striking out nine over seveninnings to improve to 17-2 with a 2.61 ERA. He's only the fourthpitcher in Rockies history to win 17 games.
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves may have lost starting pitcherKris Medlen for an extended period of time. The right-handerinjured the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow duringthe fifth inning of last night's 8-3 win over the New York Mets andwill undergo an MRI today. The Braves have won 13 of Medlen's 14starts this season.
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - Brett Favre is planning to play for theMinnesota Vikings this season if his surgically repaired ankleallows it, contradicting claims by his teammates that he wouldretire. Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and Favre'sagent both say the 40-year-old quarterback plans to play if he ishealthy enough following his ankle surgery in May. A person withknowledge of the situation told The Associated Press Tuesday thatFavre had contacted teammates and team officials to tell them hisankle was not healing and that he wasn't going to return for asecond season in Minnesota.
BOSTON (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal is now a member of the BostonCeltics after signing a two-year package worth about $3 million.The 18-year veteran will fill in at center for Kendrick Perkins,who could be out until February following knee surgery. O'Nealaveraged 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 53 games forCleveland last season.
