European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 14, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                2007 stars and strips Page 39 Arod no talks on pact slugger could opt out of contract after world series by Fred Goodall the associated press Alex Rodriguez int interested in talking contract with the new York Yankees until after the sea Rodriguez has Syz seasons left on the record 10year but can opt of the contract this fall and become a free agent a decision the slug Ger would have to make within 10 Days of the conclusion of the world Rodriguez is owed million in each of the next three seasons by the with Texas offset Ting much of the Money by paying new York next in 2009 and in he is guaranteed an additional million annually by the rang the original deferred Money in his contract that was converted to an assignment Bonus at the time of his Trade to the like Ive said All i think its something Well do at the end of the Rodriguez said be fore the Yankees opened a fou game series against the Tampa Bay Devil i think it would be selfish on my part to talk about my contract status when our team desperately needs my goal is to win As Many games As we focus on my teammates and really play at a real High level in the second Rodriguez did his part thurs Day hitting his major league leading 31st Home run Dur ing a four thinning uprising that carried the Yankees to a 73 Victo Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu also homered in the fourth As new York took a 41 Lead in sup port of Andy Pettitte who Al Lowed six hits and three runs in the who have won nine consecutive Al East got Back to 4343 but still Trail the Boston red sox by 10 eight of their first 12 games following the Allstar break Are against Tampa the team with the worst record in the the Devil rays have lost 14 of Rodriguez leads the majors with 31 homers and 87 and is batting the one thing i want to focus on is getting a win tonight and play Rodriguez responding to reports that the Yan Kees would like to begin talks soon on an Extension that would keep him in new that sort of thing i leave to the people Rodriguez my Only concern is to play base Ball and play at a High does that mean that no matter he will not negotiate before the season ends Rodriguez his Scott said Extension talk was we have always been under the plan that its something we would talk about at the end of the and weve had no discus Sions with he dont expect two other Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and catch or Jorge also could be come free agents at the end of the Rivera said Hes had no talks with the Yankees during the sea he said Hes Fine with and that he  be upset if the team initiated talks with Rodriguez before turning attention to that the Yankees they have to do whatever they have to its none of my Busi Rivera i have a and Well see what like Posada said he int interested in talking contract until after the Ive got nothing to talk theres no sense for me to negotiate something now when i can wait and see what Posada i want to i want to see Ive never experienced free Agen first time probably the Only i want to see what its asked whether he wants to stay in new Posada said this is the Only team Ive and i played but me i Chris had eke Matsu left congratulates teammate Alex Rodriguez after Rodiguez four thinning Home run against Tampa Bay on thursday Rodriguezs 31st Homer helped new York to a 73 Ortiz knee problems dont carry Over to his Bat the associated press Boston slugger David Ortiz finally let on that he has been hampered by a knee injury since last the revelation Fol Lowed a Vintage Ortiz went 3for5 with two and Manny Ramirez had two hits and three Bis in the Al East leading red sons 74 Home Victory Over the Toronto Blue jays 74 on thursday helping Tim Wake Field win his third straight Ortiz said he has been play ing with a torn meniscus in his right knee since last he said theres been no inflammation so he Hast needed it want anything said who has 14 homers and 54 Bis this sea son after finishing with 54 homers and 137 Bis last i just kept playing through it last this its been bothering me More than it used Ortiz fouled a Ball off the knee in the eighth inning but stayed in the i bet you it manager Terry fran Cona he want going to come Hes just a big Guy that hit a Ball off his Well Check it again Wakefield 108 scattered nine walked none and struck out two in six in allowing four runs including Bac Toback homers by Matt stairs and Alex Rios in the sixth when Toronto Cut a three run deficit to one in the Bottom Ortiz hit an rib Dou ble and scored on Ramirez single to give Boston a 74 Chicago Jerry Owens gets Back to second ahead off the tag by the orioles Brian Manny and Ortiz Are just Good Blue manager John Gibbons  have big second Roy Hamaday 104 allowed the first four Boston batters of the game to reach base and giving up five runs in All and eight the 2003 Al by Young award Winner struck out two and walked four the first time he has walked More than three batters in a game in More than three Halladay gave up Drews single to Lead off the Boston then walked dust in Ortiz followed with an rib sin Gle and Ramirez doubled in another run be fore Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell drove them in to make it the Start of the second we have a Tough Halladay its frustrating to have this kind of but we have a Long Way to the red sox have a 10game Lead Over the Yankees in the Al and Ortiz was asked if it might make sense to fix his knee problem now and be 100 percent for the i dont want to get out of the lineup right he i have Days where i feel in just going to get through the White sox orioles 7 at Jim Thomes 487th Homer ignited a four run first for Jon Garland 76 allowed two runs and eight hits Over seven innings in winning his fourth straight Start against Bobby Jenks got the final out for his 24th Jeremy Guthrie 43 yielded six five and nine hits in twins athletics 2 at Michael Cuddyer matched a career High with four hits and Minnesota took advantage of five walks issued by Oakland starter Chad Gaudin Scott Baker 43 gave up two runs and six hits in six innings for the who handed the As their fifth loss in six mariners tigers 2 at Adrian Beltre drove in two runs and stayed alive on the base paths Long enough to allow the godhead run to making a Winner of Felix Hernandez after Andrew Miller 43 loaded the bases in the Beltre singled and tried to Advance when Catcher Mike Rabelo dropped a throw to Beltre beat Rabe los throw to second but Slid past the then evaded shortstop Carlos Guillent tag attempts while Richie Sexson after Beltre reached the tigers appealed the play and Beltre was ruled out for not touching second the run was allowed to Putz closed out the ninth for his 25th save in 25