Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
MLB: Padres at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI-FM)
MLB: Diamondbacks at Mets, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Tennis: Wimbledon, 7 a.m. (ESPN2), 8 a.m. (ESPN)
Cycling: Tour de France, 8 a.m. (NBCSN)
AROUND THE WEB:
‘¦ Major League Baseball umpire Brian Runge became the first ump to be dismissed for a drug violation, according to an Associated Press report. MLB announced on June 14 that Runge, a 14-year veteran, was no longer umpiring but did not explain why.
The AP reports that Runge failed a drug test but then reached an agreement to remain on the MLB umpire roster. He was released after failing to comply with those terms.
Umpires, like players, are subjected to random drug tests.
Runge, 43, was a third-generation umpire — the son of former National League ump Paul Runge and the grandson of former American League ump Ed Runge. He was behind the plate for two no-hitters last season — then-White Sox pitcher Philip Humber‘s perfect game against the Mariners on April 21, and a six-pitcher no-hitter for the Mariners against the Dodgers on June 8 — and he worked the 2012 All-Star Game.
Runge did not umpire a game after Aug. 30 last year because of a knee injury. He returned for spring training and did some games in Triple-A this year.
‘¦ Alex Rodriguez made his first rehab appearance since January hip surgery when he played three innings at third base for the Single-A Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs against the Rome (Ga.) Braves on Tuesday.
Rodriguez got up to bat twice, hitting into a double play and striking out. In the field, he had two bunts placed his way. Kyle Wren bunted to lead off the game. Rodriguez fielded it cleanly but could not beat the runner at first. In the second inning, Jose Peraza bunted down the line and Rodriguez was too far back to make a play.
“I’m just happy to be back playing,” the 38-year-old Rodriguez said. “I feel like a kid again.”
Added A-Rod: “It’s a slow progression. Three innings is not a heck of a lot. Two at-bats is not much. It almost feels like March 1 in spring training, and that’s basically the approach.”
‘¦ Former major league outfielder Milton Bradley, who was found guilty of multiple counts of spousal battery, was sentenced Tuesday to more than 2 1/2 years in jail and 400 hours of community service. Bradley will appeal the sentence, which also includes five years’ probation, a year of domestic violence counseling and an anger management program. He was released on $250,000 bond pending a court date next month.
Bradley was accused of threatening and attacking his wife five times in 2001 and 2012. The couple, who have two children together, are in the middle of divorce proceedings.
Bradley played 11 years in the majors with the Dodgers, Expos, Indians, Athletics, Padres, Rangers, Cubs and Mariners. He had a number of anger-related incidents prior to being released by the Mariners in 2011.
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On July 3, 1913, the Red Sox set a major league record for most hits without scoring a run when they collected 15 hits but lost 1-0 to which Hall of Fame pitcher?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m just having a good time pitching. I’m not really worried about what slack I need to pick up or any of that. I missed a full season. I’m enjoying feeling good and enjoying competing.” – Red Sox pitcher John Lackey, after Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over the Padres
STAT OF THE DAY: 31 – Major league pitchers with at least two career no-hitters, after Reds right-hander Homer Bailey joined the club by throwing his second in two years, a 3-0 victory over the Giants on Tuesday in Cincinnati
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Here’s Everett product Diamond Ferri, a defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, picking off a pass and then getting rocked by 6-foot-11, 340-pound Edmonton Eskimos lineman Matt O’Donnell during Saturday’s Canadian Football League season opener.
During a meeting with fans to discuss the team’s disappointing season that ended with a relegation to the second division for the first time in franchise history, the president of the Argentine soccer club Independiente, Javier Cantero, takes cover when members of the “Barra Brava” supporters group begin throwing chairs at him.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Washington Senators ace Walter Johnson
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Judith Durham, former lead singer of the Seekers, was born on this day in 1943.
