By The Associated Press
Keeping the Reds from giving up after a horrible start has earned manager Jerry Narron another year in Cincinnati. The Reds extended his contract Thursday through the 2006 season with a mutual option for 2007. Narron began the season as the Reds’ bench coach and was appointed interim manager when Dave Miley was fired June 21 after the team’s 27-43 start.
Cincinnati is 46-43 under Narron.
“Really, the only reason I’m coming back is because the players played well,” Narron said. “With where we were in the standings, what our record was, it would have been very easy to just pretty much give up on the team part of it and just play individually.
“One thing they have done is continue to play as a team. This is more of a credit to how they’ve played than anything I’ve done.”
The Reds are finishing their fifth consecutive losing season, their longest such streak since 1945-55.
“I think it’s a great signing,” outfielder Ryan Freel said. “He has all the respect of the players and I think he’s done a heck of a job since he’s been here and I think he deserves this position.”
Red Sox: Boston acquired reliever Mike Stanton from the Washington Nationals. The left-hander would not be eligible for the playoffs – if the Red Sox make it. The Red Sox sent minor-league right-handers Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta to the Nationals to bring Stanton back for a second stint in Boston. He will be available to pitch this weekend against the New York Yankees, who cut him June 30.
Astros: Right-hander Roger Clemens plans to pitch Saturday against the Chicago Cubs whether the team is still trying to clinch the NL wild card or already has its playoff spot secured. Clemens skipped his previous scheduled start because of a sore left hamstring.
“I need to be out there and be in a live, intense situation to test my leg again,” he said. “If not, I’ll deal with it. I’ve been dealing with it three or four starts.”
Brewers: General manager Doug Melvin is negotiating a long-term contract extension with Milwaukee.
Royals: Kansas City signed former Nebraska third baseman Alex Gordon, the second overall pick in the June draft, to a minor-league contract that includes a $4 million signing bonus.
