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Rockies’ Thomson Could Face Charges After Crash

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Associated Press

Pitcher John Thomson of the Colorado Rockies could face drunken driving charges after crashing into a house in Tucson.

Thomson drove through the picture window of the house after striking a parked car Thursday, according to authorities.

His blood-alcohol level tested above Arizona’s legal limit of .10, but police officials did not release the exact level.

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Thomson, 26, sustained bruises but did not need to be hospitalized. Jeff Tabaka, 36, also a pitcher, was treated at a hospital for cuts on his head and was released. A woman and her son sleeping in the house were not hurt, police said.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Judy Altieri said it was likely the investigation would not be completed before late next week.

The findings will be presented to the Pima County Attorney’s office to decide whether to bring charges, she said.

Detective Marty Fuentes said Thomson and Tabaka “had been out partying” before the crash and were “driving fast.” The crash occurred on a cul-de-sac in a 25 mph zone.

Thomson had shoulder surgery in October and was put on the 60-day disabled list March 23. The 26-year-old right-hander was 1-10 last year with an 8.04 earned-run average.

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The San Diego Padres put catcher Carlos Hernandez, who has a strained groin, on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Ben Davis from triple-A Las Vegas.

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Hernandez strained a muscle in his groin while chasing a dropped third strike and throwing out Mike Piazza during Thursday’s 8-5 victory over the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

Hernandez, who was batting .625 (five for eight) after missing all of 1999 with a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon, is the sixth Padre player to go on the disabled list this season.

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Three-time American League all-star infielder Ozzie Guillen joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and outfielder Quinton McCracken, the team’s most valuable player two years ago, was optioned to triple-A Durham. Guillen, released by the Atlanta Braves on March 31, signed a one-year contract. . . . The second opinion was the same as the first, so the Baltimore Orioles put closer Mike Timlin on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Gabe Molina from triple-A Rochester. Timlin has been bothered for weeks by a torn muscle in his left side. A magnetic resonance imaging test Thursday revealed a five-centimeter tear in the oblique muscle, and a second doctor confirmed the diagnosis Friday morning. . . . The Chicago Cubs took outfielder Glenallen Hill off the 15-day disabled list. Hill went on the disabled list March 23 with a strained left hamstring. The Cubs recalled left-hander Daniel Garibay from triple-A Iowa and optioned left-handed reliever Danny Young.

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