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A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Sept 6, 2004

ANAHEIM ANGELS Troy Glaus won't play third base for the Angels this season, but he has returned to the lineup and will contribute as the DH down the stretch. Glaus underwent a five-game rehabilitation stint in Class A to help him come back and contribute offensively, even if his surgically repaired right shoulder keeps him from playing defense. He can work his way back into form in the lower part of the order because OFs Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Jose Guillen are holding down the heart of the lineup.... The team likes RHP Francisco Rodriguez's big strikeout numbers and the versatility he brings to the bullpen, but manager Mike Scioscia says Rodriguez needs to be more efficient with his pitches and allow his defense to work for him. AUGUST GRADES: Offense: A-. The return to form of 1B Darin Erstad and Anderson sparked a run of games with double-digit hits. Pitching: B+. RHP Bartolo Colon has helped the staff fall in line. Defense: B. It's among the league's best.--John Schlegel

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BALTIMORE ORIOLES A double-digit losing streak ended the team's hopes of a late wild-card run and changed its priorities for the season's final month. The team will play youngsters such as OF Val Majewski and try to determine whether LHP Bruce Chen is worthy of a contract for 2005.... Javy Lopez is unhappy about catching as much as he has this season; he is headed toward a career high in games caught. The Orioles have too many DH types for Lopez to get an occasional game in that role, and they don't have a productive backup offensive catcher. The team likes Robert Machado's defense, but his long swing and impatience make it tough for the team to play him regularly. AUGUST GRADES: Offense: B+. The team hit for a better average in August than its opponents; 3B Melvin Mora continues his career year. Pitching: D-. Only five pitchers had an ERA tinder 4.00 for the month, and the bullpen is tiring after an arduous first half. Defense: B-. Just when it appeared the Orioles were becoming solid defensively they had a string of game-turning mistakes.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX After pressing in his first couple of weeks with Boston, SS Orlando Cabrera has been effective, hitting line drives with regularity. With his slick glove, Cabrera also has helped stabilize the middle of the infield.... RF Trot Nixon has been able to strengthen his troublesome left quad, and he could provide clutch lefthanded at-bats.... 3B Bill Mueller quietly has regained the stroke that helped him win the batting title last year. When Mueller is thriving near the bottom of the order, it makes the entire lineup more dangerous.... Doug Mirabelii often is overlooked because he plays behind Jason Varitek, but tie might be the best backup catcher in the majors. Mirabelli handles pitchers capably and hits for average with some pup. AUGUST GRADES: Offense: A-. There was some help for LF Manny Ramirez and DH David Ortiz. Pitching: B-. The rotation was consistent, if not spectacular. RHP Keith Foulke, the closer, regained his form. Defense: B+. Newcomers Cabrera, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz and OF Dave Roberts have been huge.--Ian Browne

CHICAGO WHITE SOX RF Magglio Ordonez's surgically repaired left knee hasn't improved much, and Ordonez might need another procedure. That condition has cast some doubt on his future with the team. The club is interested in re-signing Ordonez, a potential free agent, but it won't go much above what it already has offered.... The club scrapped plans for a four-man rotation after falling further behind the Twins in the A.L. Central. It might reconsider if it trims the deficit enough. Chicago's fifth starters have been poor all season. Manager Ozzie Guillen, though, must be careful with his top four starters; RHP Freddy Garcia recently missed a start because of soreness in his right forearm. AUGUST GRADES: Offense: C. Explosive one day, then nonexistent lot several. Pitching: C. The top four of Garcia, LHP Mark Buehrle and RHPs Jose Contreras and Jon Garland disappeared at the worst possible time. Defense: B. Solid overall, but mistakes directly led to losses.--Scott Merkin

CLEVELAND INDIANS The team called up RHP Jeremy Guthrie and plans to give him a lung look in the bullpen. He is viewed as an alternative to chasing pricey free agents in the offseason. Guthrie's fastball reaches 94 mph, and he throws a slider and changeup to complement it.... As LHP Cliff Lee's innings mount, the team might skip him in the rotation. He seems to be wearing down, and the team doesn't want to overuse him.... OF Matt Lawton, who hit .305 in the first half but .229 since the All-Star break, could lose at-bats at the top of the order. Speedy OF COCO Crisp is an option to replace him, though Crisp doesn't walk much.... DH/1B Travis Hafner likely will rest plenty down the stretch because of a persistent elbow problem, and he won't play much at all in the field. AUGUST GRADES: Offense: D. The team's offense for the month was, well, offensive. Pitching: D. The staff went from surprising to awful. Defense: B. Often, the play was spectacular.--Justice B. Hill

A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, Sept 6, 2004

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