BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Torre Fired, Jorgensen Named

About a week after saying Manager Joe Torre wasn’t to blame for the St. Louis Cardinals’ troubles, General Manager Walt Jocketty fired him Friday.

The Cardinals replaced Torre with Mike Jorgensen, who has been the team’s director of player development since 1992. Jorgensen was in uniform for Friday night’s game against San Francisco.

Torre, 54, was in his fifth season with the Cardinals and had a record of 351-354. The Cardinals were 20-27 and in fourth place in the National League Central, 10 games behind Cincinnati.

Earlier, Jocketty had attributed the team’s problems to injuries. Several pitchers have been hurt and shortstop Ozzie Smith is out for about two months after shoulder surgery.

“Ten days ago, I was hoping that we would have a 10-game winning streak or whatever to try and turn this thing around,” Jocketty said. “I think Joe did as good a job as he could with the problems we have with injuries, but I just felt after looking at it again for another 10 days or two weeks, that a change was needed.”

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Florida Marlin third baseman Terry Pendleton had his four-game suspension for bumping an umpire upheld by National League President Len Coleman.

Pendleton had appealed the penalty, which included an undisclosed fine. Pendleton spoke with Coleman earlier this week when the Marlins were in New York.

Pendleton’s suspension takes effect today. He will sit out two games in Philadelphia and two in Colorado.

Pendleton bumped umpire Bill Hohn after a close call at third base against Philadelphia on May 16. Kevin Stocker of the Phillies eluded a tag by Pendleton, who argued Hohn’s call and then bumped him.

Replays showed Stocker was safe, even though the throw beat him. Pendleton was ejected during the argument.

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The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-handed reliever Brad Pennington from the Baltimore Orioles for Class-A outfielder Danny Clyburn and pitcher Tony Nieto.

The Reds also put left-handed reliever Chuck McElroy on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 7, and designated reliever Pete Smith for assignment.

Cincinnati plans to activate pitcher Jose Rijo today, completing the 25-man roster.

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A 15-year old fan says Minnesota Twin second baseman Chuck Knoblauch roughed him up outside the Twins’ hotel in Seattle when he yelled an insult at the player.

The teen-ager said the incident Thursday night started when Knoblauch, a two-time all-star, attempted to avoid autograph seekers by walking around a pillar and would not respond to their requests.

Police said what transpired next is unclear because of conflicting statements from those involved and witnesses.

“I was trying to get his autograph and then suddenly he attacked me. He threw me up against a wall and he tried to choke me or he grabbed my neck,” the boy said Friday.