Fan robs Marlins’ Cabrera

Florida Marlins fan David Fridkin might have robbed his favorite player of an extra-base hit Friday night.

With the Marlins leading Cincinnati 4-2 in the sixth inning, Miguel Cabrera hit a drive to deep right field. Fridkin leaned over the wall and caught the ball in his Marlins cap, intercepting it before right fielder Norris Hopper had a chance to make the play.

Umpires ruled Cabrera out because of fan interference. Fridkin, who said Cabrera was his favorite player, was ejected from the stadium.

“I did something that anyone else would do,” said Fridkin, 21, of Miami.

He said he didn’t feel that bad about trying to make the catch and didn’t think Cabrera would be angry about the grab. He said he might keep the ball atop his television set so he can see it when he watches Marlins games and be reminded of the only ball he ever caught at a major league game.

“Not too bad,” he said, “for not having a glove.”

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Mike Piazza was activated from the disabled list by the Oakland Athletics on Friday and was in the starting lineup as the catcher for that night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Piazza had been on the disabled list retroactive to May 3 with a sprained right shoulder.

Signed in the offseason to be Oakland’s designated hitter, there was talk Piazza would return to catching. He was 10-for-26 during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento and Single-A Stockton, all as a DH.

Piazza returns in the middle of his second longest homerless streak. Since hitting a home run on April 5, he’s gone 22 games and 86 at-bats without going deep.

The A’s optioned right-hander Shane Komine to Sacramento to make room for Piazza. Komine was 0-0 with a 4.70 ERA in two appearances for Oakland.