Ken Caminiti

* Minnesota Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett had 18 triples and four home runs in his first two seasons in the major leagues. In his past two seasons, he has three triples and 43 home runs.* Puckett was one of six major-league players with 500 or more at-bats and no triples last year. The others were Joe Carter, Gary Gaetti, Edgar Martinez, Omar Vizquel and Ken Caminiti.* Nine Orioles had higher on-base percentages last year than Toronto Blue Jays leadoff man Devon White, who recently signed a rich three-year contract with the Florida Marlins.

Astros: The bullpen hasn't squandered a lead after the seventh inning this season. The team is 10-0 when leading after seven and 12-0 when leading after eight. Third baseman Ken Caminiti was given the night off. He was hit on the elbow by a bat in batting practice before Thursday's game against Arizona, then got three hits. The elbow swelled overnight.Braves: It was John Smoltz's first complete game since a three-hit, 4-0 win over the Mets last Sept. 6. It was Atlanta's second shutout of the season.

Cincinnati Reds players say that the Riverfront Stadium fence against which Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Lenny Dykstra crashed Monday night should have been padded long ago.The season-ending broken right collarbone provided ammunition for Reds outfielders who have lobbied for years to get padding."

Baseball Commissioner's Office: Fined Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon $1,000 for walking off field with first base during game June 26. Braves: Placed OF Bernard Gilkey on DL with strained left quadriceps, retroactive to June 29. Activated 3B Ken Caminiti. Cubs: Placed OF Rondell White on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 26, with aggravated left groin muscle. Recalled IF Jason Smith from Triple-A Iowa. Mariners: Optioned P Denny Stark to Triple-A Tacoma. Recalled OF Scott Podsednik from Tacoma.

Results through Monday for the starting National League team for the 65th All-Star Game, to be played July 12 in Pittsburgh:Catchers 1, Kirt Manwaring, San Francisco, 183,735. 2, Mike Piazza, Los Angeles, 143,349. 3, Darren Daulton, Philadelphia, 127,944. 4, Benito Santiago, Florida, 38,951. 5, Scott Servais, Houston, 33,402. 6, Javier Lopez, Atlanta, 30,828. 7, Tom Pagnozzi, St. Louis, 25,809. 8, Rick Wilkins, Chicago, 24,129.First basemen 1, Gregg Jefferies, St. Louis, 234,379. 2, John Kruk, Philadelphia, 175,533.

Results through Sunday for the starting team for the 65th All-Star Game, to be played July 12 at Pittsburgh:Catchers1, Kirt Manwaring, San Francisco, 948,307. 2, Mike Piazza, Los Angeles, 785,617. 3, Darren Daulton, Philadelphia, 446,408. 4, Javier Lopez, Atlanta, 142,853. 5, Benito Santiago, Florida, 101,332. 6, Tom Pagnozzi, St. Louis, 96,905. 7, Rick Wilkins, Chicago, 74,014. 8, Scott Servais, Houston, 72,216.First basemen 1, Gregg Jefferies, St. Louis, 889,132. 2, John Kruk, Philadelphia, 3, Fred McGriff, Atlanta, 690,513.

Padres vs. CardinalsSeason series: St. Louis won, 8-4.The matchupsPadres: Tony Gwynn, no surprise, led San Diego with .324 average against St. Louis. Ken Caminiti hit three homers and drove in six runs. His home run off Donovan Osborne at Busch Stadium provided 1-0 win on Aug. 6. Rickey Henderson drew 14 walks, but hit just .219. Game 1 starter Joey Hamilton was 1-0 in two starts. Andy Ashby (0-2 in three starts) and Bob Tewksbury (0-3, 6.35 ERA) did not fare as well.Cardinals: Gary Gaetti wrecked Padres with five homers and 12 RBIs.

Trading places Here's a thumbnail look at what contending teams might be looking for in the days leading up to the July 31 deadline for making trades without passing players through waivers: AL East New York Yankees: Run-producing first baseman or designated hitter. Would pursue Jason Giambi heavily if available. Also believed to be interested in Tampa Bay homebody Fred McGriff. Boston Red Sox: Big-name starting pitcher. Al Leiter would be a nice fit. Reliever Ugueth Urbina may be in the mix. AL Central Cleveland Indians: Hungry for go-to starting pitcher.