Royals Get Anderson for Minor Leaguers

Brian Anderson deserved a break this season, and he got one Monday.

Anderson was acquired for the pennant race by the Kansas City Royals, who sent the Cleveland Indians two minor leaguers and agreed to pay some of the left-hander’s bonuses for 2003.

The 31-year-old Anderson went 9-10 with a 3.71 earned-run average for Cleveland, which signed him to a one-year free-agent contract in December and may go after him again this winter.

Anderson has had a solid season in his second stint with the Indians, but has been unlucky in many of his 24 starts. Cleveland has given up a major league-high 27 unearned runs behind him.

He’s hoping that trend changes with the Royals, who will start him tonight against Texas. Kansas City is one game behind first-place Chicago in the American League Central.

“He’s had some success against the clubs we’re going to be playing,” Royal General Manager Allard Baird said. “He has playoff experience and World Series experience.”

Baird said the trade was not a reaction to Sunday’s game, in which right-hander Kevin Appier left his start against Minnesota with tightness in his elbow.

For Anderson, who won a World Series title with Arizona, the Indians got first baseman-outfielder Trey Dyson and right-hander Kieran Mattison and cash considerations from the Royals.

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A $150-million partial financing plan for a baseball stadium won final approval in the Oregon Legislature, a major step in Portland’s effort to lure the Montreal Expos.

The House voted 31 to 24 to approve an amended version of legislation the state Senate approved 16 to 11 Saturday -- a day after the Senate rejected the bill 18 to 12.

Oregon is competing with Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia to lure the Expos, who were purchased by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season.

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The New York Yankees kept shuffling their bullpen as the playoffs approach, claiming left-handed reliever Felix Heredia off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

Heredia was 5-2 with one save and a 3.00 ERA in a team-leading 57 appearances for the Reds.

Since the All-Star game, the AL East-leading Yankees have acquired relievers Armando Benitez, Jesse Orosco, Jeff Nelson, Gabe White and Heredia. They since have sent Benitez to Seattle.

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Kansas City Royal catcher Mike DiFelice was suspended for two games and fined for throwing coolers and a trash can onto the field after he was ejected from a game Aug. 16. His suspension will begin today, unless he appeals.