Moustakas goes coast to coast, joins Brewers’ lineup
SAN FRANCISCO » It was quite a trip for Mike Moustakas — from coast to coast, from last place to a pennant race.
The power-hitting Royals third baseman was having dinner with his wife in New York on Friday night after a rainout at Yankee Stadium when told the Royals had traded him to Milwaukee. Moustakas quickly boarded a late flight to join the Brewers in San Francisco.
Manager Craig Counsell wasted no time getting the two-time All-Star into the lineup, either. Moustakas was put into the third spot in the order Saturday against the Giants.
“It was definitely a little jarring yesterday,” Moustakas said. “Obviously when you’ve been somewhere your entire life as a professional baseball player, it’s tough to leave that place.”
The 29-year-old Moustakas batted .249 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs in 98 games with the Royals this season.
Moustakas was acquired for outfielder Brett Phillips and right-hander Jorge Lopez, a move that adds both power and playoff experience to Milwaukee’s roster.
Yankees send 2 relievers to Cards
NEW YORK » The busy New York Yankees have traded relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to the St. Louis Cardinals for first baseman Luke Voit.
The Yankees also got international signing bonus pool money from St. Louis in the deal announced Saturday night.
Ex-pitcher Cloninger, who hit 2 slams in one game, dies at 77
DENVER, N.C. » Former major league pitcher Tony Cloninger, perhaps best known for hitting two grand slams in a game, has died. He was 77. Cloninger died Tuesday. He had worked as a consultant for the Red Sox since 2002 and the team announced his death Saturday.
Cloninger went 113-97 during 12 seasons in the big leagues, mostly with the Braves.
The right-hander was 24-11 for Milwaukee in 1965. In 1966 at Candlestick Park, Cloninger became the only pitcher to hit two grand slams in the same game. He drove in nine runs that day, in fact, getting three hits as the Braves routed San Francisco 17-3.
Cloninger hit five of his 11 career home runs in 1966.
Traded to Cincinnati during the 1968 season, he went to the World Series with the Reds in 1970.