John Bazemore / AP

Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward hits a three-run home in the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Atlanta, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Then it was reinstituted for one year in 1939, and removed again until 1954, when it was put back in place, where it remains today.

Truth is, with a runner on third, you can attempt to hit a flyball to the outfield, and you can attempt to hit a groundball when the infield is playing back. Both would score the run if successful. But one counts as an at-bat and one doesn't. Strange, but that's the way it is.

Q: Back during spring training, there was a Yankees prospect who threw both left-handed and right-handed. What is his status? And when are the Yankees going to get some good relievers?
— CR Osborne, Miami

A: You're referring to Pat Venditte, who threw 1 1/3 innings in a spring game against Atlanta, allowing one run on a hit and two walks.

The 25-year-old Creighton University product was a 20th-round draft choice in 2008, and went 4-2 with a 1.87 ERA and 22 saves at two lower Class-A stops in 2009.

Venditte has continued to be impressive this season at Class-A Tampa, going 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA, six saves, 47 hits allowed, 13 walks and 85 strikeouts in 71.2 innings. All 40 of his appearances have been in relief — where his ambidextrous ability is best used.

He's still probably two years away from a regular-season big-league opportunity, but you could see him more in games next spring.

As to your second question, I'm surprised the Yankees didn't add a left-handed reliever before the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline, when they dealt for Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood. With Damaso Marte on the disabled list, Boone Logan is Joe Girardi's only lefty bullpen option.

Logan, Wood and Sergio Mitre have been effective in front of Mariano Rivera, but the rest of the bullpen members have 4.00-plus ERAs. Maybe a waiver deal for additional help is in the works.

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Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

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