Major League Baseball
AL notebook: Jeter's hitting nightmare: 0 for 28

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Even though Derek Jeter left Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon mired in a 0-for-25 slump, the longest hitless streak of his career, the New York shortstop said he spent his day off Monday no differently than any other.

"I don't take the game home," Jeter said defiantly last night.

But manager Joe Torre acknowledged before last night's game against Oakland that Jeter is "not real happy" now, even if the Yankees captain insists this awful stretch is just part of the game.

Torre believes Jeter's bad mood has more to do with the team's struggles than his own.

"I think a big part of it is that this ballclub has always looked at him to help it out with things like this and he hasn't been able to do the job," Torre said. "For that reason, he's probably not as happy as he'd like to be."

Jeter's problems continued last night as he went 0 for 3 to extend his slump to 0 for 28 and dropping his average from .175 to .169.

Jeter tried his best before the game to put on his best face, especially as the crowd of reporters grew. He again adamantly denied that either hand is injured, though he didn't elaborate, which is typical. Torre also asked Jeter about his hands, which were hurt in separate incidents two weekends ago in Boston, and got the same answer.

"In the past, if he wasn't all right, he wouldn't necessarily answer me so he wouldn't have to lie," Torre said. "But he said he's fine."

Anaheim: OF Garret Anderson (stiff upper back) sat out his fifth consecutive game, the longest streak of his career.
 
Boston: OF/DH Brian Daubach was called up from AAA Pawtucket to replace OF Ellis Burks, who is expected to miss six weeks after knee surgery. ... RHP Byung-Hyun Kim, recovering from a strained shoulder, is expected to make his first start this season tomorrow against Tampa Bay.

Chicago: OF Magglio Ordonez and DH Frank Thomas hit back-to-back homers for the White Sox, and 1B Paul Konerko also homered — all in the first inning last night. The White Sox last hit three home runs in an inning four years ago.

Cleveland: RHP Kaz Tadano made his major-league debut in the fifth inning against the White Sox and gave up an RBI single to Joe Crede.

Detroit: OF Alex Sanchez returned to the lineup after missing two games with the flu.

Kansas City: RHP Kevin Appier will be out four to six weeks with a strained muscle that could be related to his offseason elbow surgery. Appier, 36, was 0-1 in one start with a 13.50 ERA. ... 1B Mike Sweeney (strained wrist) was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game.

Minnesota: LHP Johan Santana had a season-high eight strikeouts in seven innings against the Blue Jays.

New York: Closer Mariano Rivera made his 523rd appearance to break a tie with Dave Righetti for most by a Yankees pitcher.

Oakland: OF Mark Kotsay struck out leading off the game against the Yankees. In his past six starts, he had been 4 for 4 with two walks while leading off the game.

Tampa Bay: RHP Victor Zambrano, today's starter, got 27 runs of support in his first three starts, but only three in his last two.

Texas: OF Brian Jordan (sprained knee ligament) went 0 for 3 in his first game after being activated from the disabled list.

Toronto: C Greg Myers (sprained ankle) went on the 15-day DL. C Gregg Zaun was called up from AAA Syracuse.

— Times news services

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