BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Piazza Says He Needed a Breather

Catcher Mike Piazza, who leads the team in batting average (.346), home runs (10), RBIs (33) and slugging percentage (.569) sat out his third game of the season. Carlos Hernandez started in his place.

“I just want to sit back and take a few innings off and get ready for the weekend,” Piazza said.

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Second baseman Delino DeShields, who fouled a ball off his right foot in Monday night’s 3-2 loss to the Montreal Expos, sat out his third consecutive game. Chad Fonville started in place of DeShields, who hopes to return for tonight’s game.

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Pitcher Darren Dreifort, recovering from elbow surgery, was taken off the disabled list after completing his rehabilitation assignment with Albuquerque.