=== Around the Majors - Wednesday, May 28 ===

By Eric Gold, MLB Editor

New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - The Boss seems to be mouthing off again. With his team currently out of first place in the American League East, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner continues to foam at the mouth, but is staying away from bashing Joe Torre and Derek Jeter.

In the offseason in an interview with the New York Daily News, Steinbrenner said he was trying to motivate Jeter by telling him he was upset about the All-Star shortstop's extra-curricular activities that lasted well into the night. Steinbrenner has since backed off, but his latest criticism is being directed at Japanese outfielder Hideki Matsui.

"Joe Torre is under no pressure," Steinbrenner said following Tuesday night's 11-3 win over the Red Sox. "He's still a great manager for us. I'm totally behind him and (general manager Brian) Cashman.

"Number two, I don't have anything against my centerfielder (Matsui). I think he's playing great. All I said was it might be better if he steps closer to the plate. My people said that. I'm not that sharp to know. But he's played a great centerfield, and it's a pleasure to have him on the team."

Does he have a right to be upset? Absolutely. As an owner, Steinbrenner holds a high standard to his players and when he doesn't get what he wants, then he takes action.

Before Tuesday night's game, Steinbrenner declared changes were on the way unless his team pulls together. The Yankees promptly went out and stopped a five-game slide.

What change could be in store for the Yankees? Hitting coach Rick Down could be on the chopping block. Jason Giambi is fighting through a .217 average, while Matsui has just three homers so far this season.

DODGERS FLYING HIGH

Despite last night's 7-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies that ended a 10-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making tremendous strides in the National League West.

The Dodgers fell to 9-13 following Following a 3-2, 11-inning loss to Cincinnati on April 24, but have since been red hot. Jim Tracy's team is just one game behind the San Francisco Giants for first place in the division, and that's mostly due to their pitching.

In the last 12 games, Dodger starters are 10-1 with a 1.84 ERA and 86 strikeouts. Before allowing two runs last night, reliever Guillermo Mota held a scoreless string of 14 2/3 frames.

"Tomorrow is another day," Tracy told the Orange County Register. "It's wonderful to win 10 games in a row, and it would be wonderful if we turned around and started another 10-game winning streak.

"I think the thing that's very important about streaks is this - the fact that you win 10 in a row, now, we get beat one, how do we respond from here?

"What do we do from here to make that 10-game winning streak that much more important and significant as far as our ballclub is concerned?"

Here are some more stats figuring into LA's success this season: Eric Gagne has converted all 18 save opportunities this season and a major league-leading 26 straight dating back to 2002. Outfielder Brian Jordan is batting .370 with runners in scoring position. Shortstop Cesar Izturis has committed just one error in his last 34 games. The Dodgers have allowed the fewest amount of runs in the majors (152).

EXPOS HANGING AROUND

The Montreal Expos entered play Wednesday night just 2 1/2 games behind front- running Atlanta in the NL East. Frank Robinson's squad is in unfamiliar territory. The Expos' 32-19 record is the best mark in club annals through 51 games. The Expos have already clinched their first winning month of May since going 16-12 in 1997.

Only two teams in all of baseball have more wins than the Expos. Unfortunately, one is Atlanta (35), while Seattle (33) is the other.

Robinson, who entered Wednesday's doubleheader five victories shy of 800 for his managerial career, is lucky to have a team that only plays with a lot of tenacity.

Since getting swept in three straight by St. Louis, May 2-4, the Expos are 14-6 overall. Also, since the St. Louis series, Montreal owns a 4-1-1 series record and is 7-3 in games decided by two runs or less.

These aren't your usual doormat Expos. This team is loaded with good hitters and a respectable pitching staff that features Javier Vazquez, Tomo Ohka, and Livan Hernandez.

Montreal starting pitchers are 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA in the last 12 games, during which the Expos are 8-4.