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Castro Gets Some on-Job Training

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Infielder Juan Castro played in left field in the ninth inning of Sunday’s victory over the Astros after pinch-hitting in the eighth inning. It was the first time in his professional career that he has played the outfield.

Castro, who had played third, shortstop and second base, caught two fly balls in the ninth inning.

“The last time I played the outfield was when I was in little league,” Castro said. “But most of the time in batting practice I’m in the outfield and it helps.”

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After making a one-handed catch of Orlando Miller’s fly ball, Castro used two hands to catch John Cangelosi’s inning-ending fly ball.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Castro said. “I knew if a fly ball came to me I was going to do everything I can to catch it. When I got back to the dugout Ramon [Martinez] said to me, ‘you hotdog, you caught it with one hand.’ ”

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Rookie outfielder Roger Cedeno, who was one for five Sunday, has batted .318 with a homer and a double in his last five games.

“I’m more comfortable now because I’m playing everyday,” said Cedeno, batting .280 overall. “I’ve got more confidence.”

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Delino DeShields, who went into Sunday’s game with 20 stolen bases, stole two more. It was the seventh time this season that he has stolen more than one base in a game. . . . Closer Todd Worrell, who has a league-leading 22 saves, neds one more to become the 19th player with 200 or more saves in a career. . . . Right fielder Raul Mondesi, who started the first 73 games of the season, sat out his third consecutive game because of a heel injury. . . . Astro third baseman Bill Spiers left the game in the third inning because of a sore right elbow. He was replaced by Miller.

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