Angels
Josh Hamilton had a solo homer in his return from the DL after breaking his left thumb on April 8. Hamilton also hit a towering fly ball to center field in Houston, just short of the 436-feet sign. “Anywhere else in the world, he would have had two home runs except here,” manager Mike Scioscia said. … The Angels optioned RHP Jarrett Grube to Salt Lake to make room on the roster for Hamilton. They also selected the contract of RHP Cam Bedrosian from Double-A Arkansas and optioned RHP Michael Kohn to Salt Lake. Bedrosian, a 22-year-old reliever, has a 1.47 ERA in 17 games this season for Arkansas. He struck out one in a scoreless sixth.
Astros
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Berry Gordy and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown were honored at a luncheon in conjunction with the game for their contributions to the civil rights movement. Author and poet Maya Angelou, who died recently at 86, was honored posthumously. … Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Athletics
Although the 2014 season is only one-third complete, it’s already been a long one for reliever Jim Johnson. Acquired from the Orioles in December, Johnson began the season as the A’s closer, but he has become a middle reliever, more likely to pitch when the A’s are behind than ahead. Away from the Coliseum his ERA is 1.98 . At home, his ERA is 14.04, according to the Oakland (Calif.) Tribune. “I don’t know what the numbers are,” Johnson said. “I have no clue. I don’t think the numbers really matter.”
Mariners
Kyle Seager became the first major leaguer to hit two triples and at least one homer and one double in a game since Hal Breeden for Montreal in 1973, STATS said. … Rookie Roenis Elias threw the first complete game shutout for Seattle since Aaron Harang on June 11, 2013, in a 4-0 win over the Houston Astros. Elias (4-4) struck out eight and walked one in his 12th major league start as the Mariners blanked the Tigers 4-0 last week. Elias is the first Mariners rookie to record a shutout since Freddy Garcia on Aug. 24, 1999, against the Tigers.
Rangers
LHP Matt Harrison, 28, is recovering from spinal fusion surgery that could potentially end his career. Harrison had a planned lumbar disk fusion in his lower back. After winning 18 games in 2012 and then getting a $55 million, five-year contract, Harrison made only two starts last year before two operations on a herniated disk in his back. After four starts this season, he was diagnosed with significant nerve irritation and a forward displacement of his vertebrae, known risks after the earlier procedures. … Three-time AL All-Star first baseman Jim Gentile, who played in the majors from 1957-66, attended a game in Arlington, Texas, last week on his 80th birthday. With Baltimore in 1961, he finished third in the AL MVP voting behind Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
