Rocker Has Sharp Stint at Triple A

John Rocker struck out three batters in two innings Monday to earn his first victory with triple-A Oklahoma, which defeated Sacramento, 4-2, at Oklahoma City.

It was Rocker’s second appearance with Oklahoma since being demoted by the Texas Rangers last week.

He also had been sent down in April, but didn’t report and instead worked with former Ranger pitching coach Tom House until he was recalled a week later.

Rocker (1-0) struck out the first two batters of the seventh and got the third batter to ground out to short.

He struck out the first batter of the eighth before Carlos Pena got a hit. Rocker got the next two batters to fly out.

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The Colorado Rockies sent outfielder Benny Agbayani and right-hander Shawn Chacon to triple-A Colorado Springs on rehabilitation assignments.

Agbayani has been on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring since May 13.

Chacon went on the disabled list May 9 with a strained chest muscle.

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Former National League most valuable player Kevin Mitchell had his suspension in the Western Baseball League increased to seven games for throwing a punch at an opposing team’s third-base coach.

Mitchell, manager of the Sonoma County Crushers, took a swing at Larry Olenberger of the Solano Steelheads on Saturday night. He was automatically banned three games and fined $250 for the infraction.

After more investigation, league President Sam Pepper increased the punishment to seven games Monday.

Mitchell accused Olenberger throughout the game of stealing signs from the Crusher catcher and relaying them to Steelhead batters.