GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes in Major League Baseball.
LORETTA DEFINING HIS
ROLE WITH ASTROS
It took a while for Mark Loretta to get things going after he signed a free-agent contract last winter with the Houston Astros.
Now, he's starting to make positive contributions for a team that struggled throughout parts of April.
Through Sunday's home game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Loretta, a St. Francis High graduate, is batting .375 (15 for 40) with seven runs batted in.
He had a two run-scoring singles on Saturday to help the Astros earn a 10-1 win against Milwaukee. That came after he notched a season-high four hits in Houston's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Loretta, who is an infielder, has registered two doubles and scored six runs this season after spending the 2006 season with the Boston Red Sox.
The Astros are 10-14 entering today's home game against the Cincinnati Reds. They are in last place in the National League's Central Division.
HIRSH STRUGGLES IN
LATEST PERFORMANCE
Less than a month into the 2007 season, St. Francis High graduate Jason Hirsh has been pitted against a likely Hall of Fame pitcher three times.
Hirsh locked horns Saturday with Atlanta Braves starter John Smoltz. Unfortunately for Hirsh, who is now a member of the Colorado Rockies after debuting last season with Houston Astros, things didn't go his way.
Hirsh, a right-hander, allowed five runs (three earned) and walked four in a 6-2 loss to the visiting Braves. Hirsh (2-2) allowed a fourth-inning home run to Jeff Francoeur that gave Atlanta a 4-2 lead.
He struck out two and made 93 pitches.
Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said Hirsh, who has already defeated San Diego Padres pitcher Greg Maddux twice this season, struggled with his command after being staked to a 2-0 lead in the first.
"His command wasn't what it had been for Jason in his other fours starts," Hurdle told the Associated Press. "He didn't establish his fastball and nothing establishes his change-up better than his fastball."
Hirsh is next scheduled to start Friday against the host Cincinnati Reds.
The Rockies (10-15) entered Monday night's game against the San Francisco Giants in last place in the National League's West Division.
SANCHEZ BOTHERED BY
EYE IRRITATION
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who won the National League batting title last season, hasn't been completely healthy during the first part of the season.
