Kouzmanoff Delivers for Padres; Aviles a Rookie to Watch

Players of the Day from Saturday, June 14, 2008 American League Keep your eye on rookie shortstop Mike Aviles of Kansas City. In the Royals' 12-3 romp over Arizona, Aviles went 4-for-5 with a single, two doubles and his second home run of the season, driving in 2 runs and scoring four times. The game was only the 10th of Aviles' short career, but it's already his 4th multiple-hit game. The effort boosted his batting average to .361. Eight of his 13 hits have been for extra bases. Notes: The Tigers continued their winning ways with their 5th straight, slugging their way past the Dodgers, 12-7, to pull to within 7 games of the White Sox in the Central. National League The San Diego Padres had already taken a one-run lead in the 10th, but Kevin Kouzmanoff made sure they'd stay on top, belting a grand slam to help the Padres finish off Cleveland, 8-3. Kouzmanoff had doubled earlier in the game, and finished his night 2-for-5 with 4 RBI. The homer was his 10th of the season. The Padres' win pulled them to within a game of second place Los Angeles. The Dodgers trail Arizona by 5 1/2 games in the NL West. Notes: The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are pulling away from the pack in the NL Central. Both won last night, while the Brewers, Astros, Pirates and Reds all suffered losses. The Cubs hold a 3 1/2-game edge on the Cards, with the Brewers 5 games further back.