lead in the bottom of the second inning when Flowers h

HOUSTON -- Six-time All-Star Lance Berkman is retiring after 15 seasons in the major leagues. Berkman almost left the game last off-season before signing with the Texas Rangers. He then had another injury-plagued season and was limited to 73 games. The 37-year-old Berkman was Houstons first-round draft pick in 1997 out of Rice, and played 12 seasons for the Astros. He played 1,879 career games, all but 287 for Houston, finishing a .293 career hitter with 366 home runs and 1,234 RBIs. "Lance was one of the greatest players in Astros history," his original team said in a release Wednesday night. The Astros said they hope to honour Berkman during the upcoming season and "give the fans the chance to recognize his outstanding career." He finished the 2010 season with the New York Yankees before two years in St. Louis, where he was part of the 2011 World Series champions. "Just physically Ive gotten to the point where I dont feel like I can compete at a level that Im used to competing at," Berkman told KRIV-TV of Houston. "I could probably still drag my carcass out there, but Im not interested in doing that. ... I dont want to hang on just to hang on." Berkman said he was excited about retiring. The Rangers declined their $12 million contract option for 2014 last October, which got Berkman a $1 million buyout. He hit .242 with six homers and 34 RBIs for the Rangers. He went on the disabled list July 7 with a left inflammation and a sore right knee, and played only five games after coming back the final month of the season. The six-time All-Star played only 32 games for St. Louis in 2012, when he dealt with a strained left calf and had two operations on his right knee. He hit .301 in 2011 for the Cardinals, who won the World Series that season over Texas. Berkman had said last winter that he had gone into that off-season feeling like he was going to retire then. But he responded to the Rangers, and made $10 million last season. Stitched NFL Jerseys . Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. Discount NFL Jerseys .com) - The Los Angeles Kings peppered Ryan Miller with shot after shot. http://www.cheapnfljerseyschinateam.com/ . Dane Dobbie and Shawn Evans each had two goals and two assists for the Roughnecks (8-5), who outscored Minnesota 6-2 in the fourth quarter after being tied through 45 minutes. Curtis Dickson scored once and set up three more for Calgary and Dan MacRae, Geoff Snider, Tor Reinholdt, Karsen Leung and Matthew Dinsdale. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . Philbin said Thursday he wants players to treat one another with civility and he wont tolerate anything less. In taking questions for the first time since Ted Wells released his report into the bullying scandal that rocked the league, Philbin made it clear things would be cleaned up. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic . Wrights first stint with Milwaukee was on a 10-day contract from March 14-23. He played in two games, averaging six points and two rebounds in 16.CHICAGO -- The boos Nick Swisher heard before his first plate appearance were nothing compared to the reception he received after his tiebreaking single in the eighth. Swishers single helped the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox for the third time in less than 24 hours, 4-3 Saturday. His homer in the ninth inning Friday night propelled Cleveland to a sweep of a marathon doubleheader. "Its that never die attitude," Swisher said. "I just feel like we keep fighting. We keep doing our thing. This is a good squad." This time, Cabrera, Jason Kipnis and Swisher hit consecutive one-out singles off Jesse Crain (2-3) in the eighth. Crain allowed his first earned run since April 12. He went 31 outings before Saturday without giving up an earned run. "Its one of those hes always going to come in, kind of the toughest situations," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "That eighth innings just one of those, depending on where that lineup is, its usually a nasty situation. Its impressive just kind of the run hes been on." Joe Martinez (1-0), called up from Triple-A Columbus Saturday, earned the victory in his first major league appearance this season. He pitched two innings and held Chicago to two hits and no runs with one strikeout. "He really clutched up," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said about Martinez. "Thats not the easiest situation to be put into. "Its not like there was a safety net there," Francona added. "He did really well." Cleveland closer Chris Perez earned his seventh save in nine attempts. Kipnis tied the game 3-all with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Kipnis said he caught a cutter from White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Axelrod. Michael Bourn started the inning with a walk and Cabrera flew out to right field before Kipnis homered beyond the bullpen in right field. "It wasnt a big swing," said Kipnis, who has a 12-game hitting streak and has reached base in 32 consecutive games. "It was more reacting in and letting the hands do the work. I got it well enough." Chicago rallied with two oouts in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead.dddddddddddd Conor Gillaspie and Dayan Viciedo had back-to-back RBI singles to score Alex Rios and Jeff Keppinger. Catcher Tyler Flowers had a chance to add on but struck out looking with the bases loaded. Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera hit his sixth home run of the season to tie the game at 1 in the fourth inning. White Sox left fielder Viciedo made a pair of terrific catches that easily could have been base hits for the Indians. His first was a diving grab of a looper from Cabrera that was fair and in shallow left field, where Viciedo snagged it just as it was about to hit the ground. His second highlight catch prevented Michael Bourn from reaching base in the third inning, when Viciedo sprinted into the gap to make the play. He also went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a double. "Today, energy wise, he was up and ready to go," Ventura said. "Swinging the bat, he was a lot better, too. Just something that seemed a little calmer with him." Chicago took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Flowers had an RBI double, but the White Sox stranded runners on second and third. NOTES: White Sox 1B/DH Paul Konerko took batting practice Saturday, his first action since last playing June 23 in Kansas City. Konerko, who has pain in the lower right side of his back, doesnt think hes headed to the disabled list and hopes to play Sunday. Ventura said Konerko probably wont play Sunday but theres a good chance he would be in the lineup Tuesday against Baltimore. ... Before Saturdays game the White Sox recalled pitcher Simon Castro, who has never pitched in the major leagues. ... Chicago right fielder Alex Rios snapped an 0-for-13 streak at the plate with his single in the fifth inning. ... Francona was surprised to hear Fridays doubleheader was the longest in Major League history. "I guess thats the one advantage to waking up every day feeling (lousy), you really dont feel all that different." ... Chicago will start Chris Sale (5-6, 2.75 ERA) and Cleveland starts Justin Masterson (9-6, 3.76) in todays series closer at 1:10 p.m. ' ' '