Oddly Enough

According to Elias,

Derek Jeter homered off Barry Zito’s first pitch in Oakland Sunday, the first time a Yankee had hit a first-pitch homer to lead off the first since April 29 of last season at Yankee Stadium when Jeter connected off . . . Barry Zito.

The Jones boys, Chipper and Andruw, both homered Monday, making the Braves an all-time 42-6 when that happens.

In helping beat the Phillies Sunday, former Jay Esteban Loaiza, now with the Nats, improved to 9- 2 for his 15 career starts on fewer than four days’ rest.

Craig Biggio helped the Astros to a sweep of the Phillies Wednesday with a two-out, three-run homer in the ninth off former teammate Billy Wagner. It was Wagner’s first appearance against his old team.

Worse for Wagner, he’d just got Biggio to sign a jersey for his kid before the game. “Right,” said Wagner. “Here you go, son. Here’s a jersey from the guy who just homered off your dad.”

Since coming off the DL Aug. 17, Boston’s John Olerud has hit .410 with three homers and 14 RBIs. Over that same stretch, the Red Sox’s other first baseman, Kevin Millar, has resurfaced to hit .320 with five homers and nine RBIs.

Also according to Elias, Florida’s Miguel Cabrera, who knocked in his 100th run Wednesday, is now, at 22 years, four months, the fourth-youngest player to produce back-toback 100-RBI seasons. The others: Mel Ott and Al Kaline, who each pulled it off before turning 22, and Ted Williams, just after his 22nd birthday.

Jhonny Peralta is only the second shortstop in Indians’ history to reach 20 homers. Woodie Held’s the other and he did it three straight seasons, 1959-61, with 21, 21 and 23.

Tuesday marked Derek Jeter’s 1,500th major-league game, during which time he has totalled 1,906 hits and 1,140 runs.

Last player with as many hits and runs through his first 1,500 games: Joe DiMaggio (1,965 hits, 1,211 runs).