Brewers Demote Popular Rookie

In an unpopular move with their fans, the Milwaukee Brewers sent young power hitter Goeff Jenkins to the minor leagues Saturday to make room for much-needed pitching help.

Jenkins, a rookie outfielder with six homers and 18 RBIs in 129 at-bats, was optioned to Louisville when the Brewers purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Travis Smith from the triple-A affiliate.

Jenkins, the ninth overall pick in the 1995 June draft, quickly became a fan favorite when he was called up earlier this season, albeit in part because of his uncanny resemblance to Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre.

News of his demotion didn’t sit well with the crowd before the Brewers played the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Aw, man, and he’s the guy I came to see,” said Lisa Cheryl of West Allis as she settled into her seat.

“I like him too, but we’re not going to play him ahead of David Nilsson,” Brewer Manager Phil Garner said. “He’ll be back. But I don’t want him to sit around here and not get any at-bats, maybe get one every night or two and not have any chance to get any better.”

Jenkins, who batted .256 in 42 games for the Brewers, homered four times in his first 20 at-bats, but his playing time decreased significantly with the return of sluggers Nilsson and John Jaha from the disabled list.

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With a touch of his old baseball wit, Hall of Famer Bob Lemon had his No. 21 retired at Cleveland as teammates from the 1948 Cleveland Indians World Series championship team stood and cheered.

“It’s a great honor,” said Lemon, who received the jersey from current Manager Mike Hargrove before Cleveland’s game against the New York Yankees. “Now, let’s get on with the game, throw out the first pitch or whatever the hell we do, and let the good times roll.”

Lemon, 77, became the sixth Cleveland player to have his number retired, joining Bob Feller, Larry Doby, Lou Boudreau, Earl Averill and Mel Harder.

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The New York Mets signed outfielder Ruben Sierra to a minor league contract.

Sierra, who was released by the Chicago White Sox last month, will report to triple-A Norfolk of the International League.

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St. Louis left fielder Ron Gant aggravated an injured right hamstring trying to make a sliding catch in foul territory in the fifth inning of the Cardinals’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gant pulled up short of the wall and slid trying to track down a foul pop, then grabbed his right hamstring. Manager Tony La Russa indicated he might have to go on the disabled list.

“He complained a little before the inning started that he was starting to feel some tightness in there, and then he made that long run,” La Russa said. “I would be very concerned about it.”

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Tampa Bay catcher John Flaherty, sidelined since dislocating his left thumb on May 25, was activated from the 15-day disabled list.