ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Toronto’s Jose Molina threw out four Rays baserunners trying to steal second, the first time a catcher has nailed that many runners in a game in nearly eight years.
In each of the first four innings of the Blue Jays’ 6-0 loss to the Rays on Sunday, Molina caught a runner — including speedy Carl Crawford twice.
It was the first time a catcher has thrown out four runners since Florida’s Charles Johnson did it against Montreal on Sept. 18, 2002. Oakland’s Terry Steinbach was the last to do it in the AL, on July 31, 1992.
Lee looks OK in Triple-A
TACOMA, Wash. — Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee tossed six shutout innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma.
Lee, working his way back after straining his abdomen during spring training, allowed three hits, struck out four and walked none against Salt Lake. He threw 68 pitches, 46 for strikes.
Braves’ Jones back
NEW YORK — Chipper Jones was back in the Braves’ lineup despite a sore right hip.
Jones tested his hip before Sunday night’s game against the Mets, taking some swings in the indoor cage, and said he felt good enough to play.
Footnotes.
Pirates pitcher Chris Jakubauskas was released from a Houston hospital and placed on the 15-day disabled list a day after he was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Houston’s Lance Berkman.
• Royals third baseman Josh Fields will undergo right hip surgery, a procedure the team said could end his season.
• Brewers right-hander Jeff Suppan, 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA in two appearances as the fifth starter, has been removed from the rotation in favor of Chris Narveson.
