It's a blast for Dunn: He's dealt to Arizona
Adam Dunn had no idea the Cincinnati Reds were about to trade him to the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday.
But with longtime teammate Ken Griffey Jr. already gone and the Reds on a six-game losing streak, Dunn didn't mind packing his bags and heading to Arizona.
"It was one of those pleasant surprises," the slugger said on a conference call. "To come off the terrible month that we had in Cincinnati, and you get a phone call today saying you're being traded to a first-place team. That's all you could ask for."
Dunn, who was tied for the big league lead in homers, could boost an Arizona offense that was ranked 20th in the majors in runs scored. The Diamondbacks (60-58) have a one-game lead in the NL West over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Arizona sent minor league righthander Dallas Buck to Cincinnati (52-67) along with two players to be named. The 23-year-old Buck was 1-4 with a 3.94 ERA at Single A South Bend.
Dunn, 28, was batting .233 for the Reds with 32 home runs and 74 RBIs. He has a good eye at the plate (80 walks) but also strikes out a lot (120 Ks).
Dunn has a .247 career batting average and is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.
Arizona tried to acquire Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves at last month's trade deadline before he went to the Los Angeles Angels.
Dunn had played his entire career with the Reds and is nearing the end of an $18.5 million contract. He spoke with Arizona manager Bob Melvin but isn't sure what role he'll fill.
"I'll do whatever," Dunn said. "If they want me to catch, I'll catch."
Twins 4, Yankees 0 - Glen Perkins pitched eight outstanding innings and light-hitting Adam Everett hit a two-run homer, lifting host Minnesota over New York.
Perkins (9-3) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out four. He induced two inning-ending double plays and got a standing ovation when he left after the eighth.
Joe Nathan fanned Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Xavier Nady in the ninth to complete the first shutout of the Yankees at the Metrodome since June 24, 1996.
Pirates 7, Mets 5 - Steve Pearce hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and visiting Pittsburgh became the latest team to take advantage of the Mets' shaky bullpen, rallying past New York.
The Mets led, 5-1, when Pedro Martínez left after six innings, but five relievers couldn't preserve the edge. The Pirates scored three times in the seventh and three more in the ninth.
Aaron Heilman (2-7) began the ninth with a 5-4 lead, but allowed four straight Pirates to reach after striking out leadoff hitter Nate McLouth.
Ryan Doumit hit a tying single off the wall in right-center and Heilman hit Andy LaRoche with a pitch to load the bases.
Scott Schoeneweis relieved and got Brandon Moss to ground into a forceout at the plate. Pearce followed with his tiebreaking single to center.
Brewers 7, Nationals 1 - Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart each hit home runs and Dave Bush allowed five hits over 6 1/3 innings to help host Milwaukee complete a four-game sweep of Washington.
Weeks led off the first with a homer and Hart added a two-run homer in the fourth. Craig Counsell's two-run double and a bases-loaded walk off reliever Charlie Manning in the seventh helped the Brewers sweep the Nationals at Miller Park for the second consecutive season.
Blue Jays 7, Tigers 2 - Justin Verlander struggled yet again as Toronto roughed up host Detroit.
Verlander (8-13) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs and seven hits.
Cardinals 4, Marlins 2 - Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer, Joel Pineiro pitched seven strong innings, and St. Louis won at Florida.
Indians 13, Orioles 8 - Asdrubal Cabrera homered in the second inning, then doubled in the go-ahead run in the seventh, and host Cleveland won its fourth straight.
Astros 3, Giants 1 - Brandon Backe struck out six in seven effective innings, Ty Wigginton drove in three runs, and host Houston won its fifth straight.
Dodgers 8, Phillies 6 - Casey Blake hit a two-run homer and Manny Ramirez doubled home two during a six-run third inning that carried Derek Lowe and host Los Angeles past Philadelphia.
