Griffey pulls hamstring, leaves game in fourth

Cincinnati Ken Griffey Jr., playing on a tender right hamstring, pulled up while running out a double Sunday and quickly left the game.

The Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder led off the fourth inning with a hit to right field. Realizing he had a chance to stretch it into a double, Griffey sped up rounding the bag and appeared to slip slightly as he planted his right foot.

The Reds said that Griffey’s hamstring tightened as he ran the bases, and he left the game as a precaution.

He first pulled the hamstring on June 7.

Tigers planned walk to Castillo in ninth

Miami The Detroit Tigers weren’t going to give Luis Castillo another chance to extend his 35-game hitting streak.

Castillo went 0-for-4 and was left on deck when the Florida Marlins finished off a four-run, ninth-inning rally to beat the Tigers 5-4 Saturday.

Castillo had a blank stare on his face as his teammates celebrated the victory. He might be relieved to know that a fifth plate appearance wouldn’t have changed anything.

Detroit manager Luis Pujols said Sunday that he and bench coach Felipe Alou had agreed to intentionally walk Castillo and take their chances against Eric Owens.

“Felipe and I said we were going to look bad in our country, but we had to walk him,” said Pujols, who like Castillo and Alou is from the Dominican Republic.

But with one out and Andy Fox on third, pinch-hitter Tim Raines lifted a fly ball to center. Fox tagged and easily beat Wendell Magee’s throw home for the game-winner.

Castillo’s streak was the longest since Paul Molitor’s 39-gamer in 1987.

Pirates’ pitcher fined

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Josh Fogg was fined $750 by major league baseball for hitting Montreal’s Mike Mordecai with a pitch June 5.

Bottalico on 15-day list

Philadelphia The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-hander Ricky Bottalico on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with a strained right shoulder.

Bosox acquire Embree in four-player deal

Los Angeles The Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed reliever Alan Embree on Sunday from the San Diego Padres in a four-player trade.

The Red Sox sent minor league right-handers Brad Baker and Dan Giese to San Diego for Embree and minor league right-hander Andy Shibilo.

Kearns sent to minors

Cincinnati Austin Kearns, one of the leaders of the Cincinnati Reds’ unexpected surge into first place, was demoted to the minors on Sunday so a reliever could be added to the roster.

The Reds will be without left-hander Gabe White for at least a few more days and don’t want to remain short-handed in the bullpen.