Baseball notables

August 31, 2011

■Nationals righthander Livan Hernandez reached 50,000 pitches for his career in the second inning. Among active pitchers, only Boston’s Tim Wakefield has thrown more.

■ Bronson Arroyo has given up 36 homers this season, the most ever by a Reds righthander. Lefthander Eric Milton holds the franchise record of 40 homers allowed.

■Indians designated hitter Jim Thome walked twice, extending his team record to 1,000 walks. He has 1,717 for his career, eighth all time and 16 behind Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.

■The Phillies’ Ryan Howard had the 28th multihomer game of his career.

■The Reds’ Paul Janish pinch-hit and flied out, leaving him in an 0-for-23 rut.

■The Marlins’ Javier Vazquez fanned the Mets’ Lucas Duda to end the sixth, becoming the 30th major league pitcher to reach 2,500 strikeouts.

■Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore, out since July 18 with a sore knee and recovering from abdominal surgery, will start a rehab assignment tonight at Double A Akron.

■Toronto reliever Jon Rauch threw a 25-pitch simulated game and is close to rejoining the team.