The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Detroit fan snags five foul balls
All in one game, and he tosses each prize to a nearby kid.
With the Pirates fouling off many JustinVerlander pitches and an announced crowd of 26,271 on a chilly weekday afternoon in Detroit, 39-yearold Bill Dugan caught five foul balls in the first eight innings. Three were easy pop flies over the backstop, but he also snared two ricochets off the facing of the press box.
Dugan, who shares season tickets with a friend, said he’s caught more than 200 balls during games and batting practice. He said his previous single-game record was four in 2002.
Dugan, who gave all the balls to nearby kids, drew the biggest cheers of the game and posed for selfies with impressed fans.
He still has one goal left, though: “I’ve never caught a home run ball.”
Having a blast
Baltimore’s Chris Davis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off new Boston closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and drove in five runs, carrying the Orioles over the Red Sox 9-7 in David Ortiz’s final home opener last week. Davis’ blast, which landed on Fenway Park’s batter’s eye in center field, was his eighth go-ahead homer in the ninth inning or later since 2013, most in the majors in that span, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
What an entrance
Houston backup catcher Erik Kratz didn’t make the most graceful entrance when the team was introduced before a recent game. Kratz tripped on the orange carpet the Astros laid out for the pregame festivities and did a belly flop onto the ground. As soon as he got up several Royals, who were standing on the field after being introduced, laughed and pointed at him. When they were sure he was looking, about five of them tipped their caps to their former teammate, who spent parts of the last two seasons in Kansas City.
Training room
■ Athletics: LHP Felix Doubront underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament using a hamstring graft. The surgery was performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati. A’s athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said a small bone also was removed from the elbow area.
■ Mariners: LHP Charlie Furbush played catch at 75 feet last week, his first throwing session since early in spring training after experiencing tightness in the deltoid area of his left shoulder.
■ Rangers: CR obinson Chirinos was placed on the 60-day DL (broken right forearm) and is expected to be sidelined approximately 10 to 12 weeks.
■ Tigers: RHP Daniel Norris (back) and RHP Alex Wilson (shoulder) each pitched two scoreless innings for Class A Lakeland (Fla.) during injury rehabilitation assignments.