Playoff notebook

Roof closed despite comfortable weather in Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) -- The roof was closed at Bank One Ballpark for Game 2 of the St. Louis-Arizona NL division series Thursday, even though it was a comfortable 74 degrees outside.

The official reason was fan comfort. A portion of the stands would be in the direct glare of the sun during the game.

The closed roof also made for better playing conditions, Arizona manager Bob Brenly said.

"Personally, I do prefer the roof closed because of visibility problems," Brenly said. "We've all seen games on the West Coast in the afternoon, what the hitters and the fielders have to deal with as far as shadows on the field."

Diamondbacks starter Curt Schilling had to be pleased. Early in the season, he asked that the roof be closed when he pitches because he believes the ball carries farther when it is open.

Initially, Diamondbacks officials agreed to Schilling's request, but that changed when fans complained.

Gonzo back

Arizona All-Star outfielder Luis Gonzalez threw out the first pitch for Thursday's game against St. Louis, three days after he underwent surgery to repair his separated left shoulder.

He was in the Diamondbacks dugout during the game cheering on the team.

"I think the hardest thing for me has been the last couple of days," Gonzalez said before the game. "Tuesday I was in no condition to come to the ballpark after having surgery on Monday. Sitting at home watching the game, I think that's been the toughest part of being away from these guys. I'll be ready to go for spring training."

Gonzalez, whose shoulder is in a brace, said he won't accompany the team to St. Louis.

"I've been having some restless nights sleeping with this thing on, just some pain medication and things like that," he said. "But hopefully we can get by this first round and I'll be able to be with the ballclub the rest of the way."

Schmidt heads home

San Francisco pitcher Jason Schmidt, scheduled to start Game 3 of the NL division series against Atlanta on Saturday, was with the Braves but not on the active roster when they won the World Series in 1995.

"I've been thinking about that the whole time," Schmidt said Thursday before leaving Turner Field to head back to San Francisco. "Last time I was in this situation, I wasn't pitching but ... being an alternate, getting a chance to go through the whole thing and ended up getting a ring out of it.

"Now here I am, getting a chance to pitch in it."

While with the Braves, Schmidt got a chance to learn from Greg Maddux. Before spring training in 1996, Maddux even offered to let Schmidt stay at his house, since the rookie didn't have any place to live.

"We were sitting down and watching games when we weren't playing," Schmidt said. "He'd say, 'See what this hitter's doing? Watch for this and watch for that.'

"It's the most special experience a player could have, especially a rookie. To do that with a Hall of Fame pitcher."

Maddux's blister

Atlanta starter Greg Maddux said the blister that kept him from starting Game 2 against the Giants is gone.

When asked how he got the blister, Maddux quipped, "From throwing."

It's the third time this season a Braves starter has been hampered by a blister. Kevin Millwood, who started Game 2 Thursday night, and Tom Glavine also struggled with the problem during the regular season.

Seeing red

Anaheim center fielder Darin Erstad will have one of the best views of the Edison Field stands Friday. He expects to see lots of red-clad Angels fans.

"I'm biased. I like it," he said. "It's really uplifting." Erstad thinks Angels fans are louder than New York fans, and he expects them to prove it this weekend. "There are 13,000 or 14,000 that have been awesome," he said. "There's a few thousand more that have come in this year and that's been great."

Anaheim outfielder Tim Salmon also expects a great atmosphere for Game 3 of the AL division series against the Yankees.

"It's nice to be able to come home," he said. "Our fans are going to be rocking."

Redemption for Donnelly

Anaheim reliever Brendan Donnelly, a 31-year-old rookie, gave up a three-run homer to Bernie Williams in the eighth inning of Game 1 that sent the Yankees to a victory.

"That's not the first game I've blown," Donnelly said Thursday. "If I can stay around the game long enough, it won't be the last."

Donnelly spent 10 years in the minors with nine teams before catching on with Anaheim's bullpen this season. He was impressive during the regular season, stranding 30 of 34 inherited runners -- best among AL relievers. He retired 42 of the 46 first batters he faced, also tops in the AL.

Donnelly had better results in Game 2 on Wednesday night, getting pinch-hitter John Vander Wal on a called third strike for the second out of the eighth inning.

"Baseball is a game where you have to have a short memory," Donnelly said. "If you don't, the game will humble you, it will eat you alive if you can't forget about it and move on."

Major minor leaguers

Michael Cuddyer and Matthew LeCroy didn't make the Minnesota Twins' roster out of spring training, and both spent a good chunk of this season in the minors.

But they both started Game 2 of Minnesota's AL division series against Oakland -- Cuddyer in right field and LeCroy as the designated hitter. "It's something," LeCroy said. "You can play a lot of years in the big leagues and you might never get that opportunity. So I'm going to take advantage of it -- I'm glad to be here."

LeCroy was recalled from Triple-A Edmonton four times this year.

"You go down there and pout, and you're not going to be ready when they call you up," LeCroy said. "I have a pretty good attitude about myself. The playoffs makes all those demotions go away -- you don't even think of it."

Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr had strong rookie seasons splitting time in right field, keeping Cuddyer in the minors. He didn't play regularly until the last week of the regular season.

"It's pretty cool," Cuddyer said. "Everybody back home has been able to watch and follow the games. You never know how many times you're going to get here."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn't sure Thursday whether he'd use LeCroy, a right-handed hitter, or left-handed David Ortiz as his DH on Friday against lefty Barry Zito.

"I'm still mulling it over," Gardenhire said.

Replacing Saenz?

Oakland infielder Frank Menechino, left off the postseason roster for the first round, is still traveling with the team.

Olmedo Saenz ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in Game 1 against Minnesota, and the A's will need another position player for the AL championship series if they advance.

Menechino "is a consideration for the second round, if we get that far," manager Art Howe said. "Another right-handed bat."

 

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