Monday, June 16, 2008

Yankees RHP Chien-Ming Wang left the clubhouse on crutches yesterday after spraining his right foot running the bases in New York's 13-0 win over the Astros.

The Yankees' ace will have an MRI exam in New York today. He was wearing a soft cast after the game.

"I feel sore," Wang said through a team spokesman. "Of course I'm disappointed."

After pitching five scoreless innings, Wang pulled up as he rounded third on Derek Jeter's two-run single during the Yankees' eight-run sixth. He hopped the rest of the way home and pointed to his right foot after scoring. A trainer rushed to check on him and Wang was helped off the field.

Getting a rare chance to hit against an NL team, Wang had reached base on a bunt that turned into a fielder's choice.

Wang still earned his second straight win, and is 5-0 in seven road starts this season.

New York Manager Joe Girardi said he would be "shocked" if Wang made his next scheduled start, but wouldn't speculate on how serious the injury might be.

· ELLSBURY SETS MARK: Red Sox OF Jacoby Ellsbury stole two more bases to set a club rookie record in a 9-0 win over the Reds.

Ellsbury opened the game with a single, stole second and third, and scored on Dustin Pedroia's sacrifice fly. Ellsbury's 33 steals are two better than Amby McConnell's mark in 1908. Kenny Lofton stole 66 bases for the Indians in 1992 for the AL rookie record.

"It's pretty neat to do something that hasn't been done in Red Sox history for 100 years," said Ellsbury, 24, who also homered.

· BAKER'S FOURSOME: RHP Scott Baker struck out four Brewers in the third inning, becoming the first Twins pitcher to accomplish the feat.

Baker struck out Ryan Braun swinging, then got Prince Fielder to strike out, but the ball bounced far away from C Mike Redmond, allowing Fielder to reach first on the wild pitch. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron looking on three pitches apiece to end the inning.

-- From News Services