BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Pena Injures Elbow and Gets Released

Alejandro Pena, emerging only a week ago as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first reliable closer in years, was given his outright release after reinjuring his surgically repaired right elbow.

Pena, 35, complained Tuesday in Chicago of elbow pain and returned to Pittsburgh to be examined by team orthopedist Jack Failla. General Manager Cam Bonifay released Pena after learning he might not return for weeks, if at all this season.

The right-handed reliever, who missed the 1993 season after requiring the surgery, cost the Pirates $1.475 million over two years for only 22 appearances, all of them this season.

“I don’t know if he could make it back. It would be at least five weeks before he would be ready for rehabilitation, and maybe a lot longer,” Bonifay said. “It was a tough decision but it was the right decision.”

Activated May 1, Pena (3-2, 5.02 earned-run average) had seven saves in eight opportunities and was looking to become the Pirates’ best closer since Jim Gott had a club-record 36 saves in 1988.

“The sad part is he was doing a hell of a job,” Pirate Manager Jim Leyland said. “But you can’t say it was unexpected, because we’ve been holding our breath since day one. It’s been a crap shoot all the way along with him. But it’s definitely a tough blow to lose your closer.”

*

San Francisco Giant center fielder Darren Lewis committed the first error of his career Thursday night, ending a major league record 392-game streak.

Lewis was given an error in the third inning when a base hit by Montreal’s Cliff Floyd skipped under his glove as he charged the ball in shallow center. The error allowed Floyd to reach second.

Before the error, Lewis had handled 938 chances without a mistake. His streak was the longest ever without an error in the majors and the longest to start a career.

Lewis’ last error came on May 10, 1991, at triple-A Phoenix.

*

Paul Runge, making his third All-Star appearance, will be the home plate umpire for the July 12 All-Star Game at Pittsburgh.

The commissioner’s office said that Runge will be joined by fellow National Leaguers Jerry Layne at second base and Bill Hohn in left field, and American League umpires Jim Joyce in right field, Rocky Roe at third base and John Shulock at first.