Nava hit slam on first pitch

Daniel Nava gave his parents a great home video.

Nava hit the first pitch he saw as a big leaguer for a grand slam Saturday as the Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia 10-2 at Fenway Park.

Cleveland’s Kevin Kouzmanoff, on Sept. 2, 2006, is the only other player to match the feat. Only four players in big league history have hit grand slams in their first at-bat.

With his parents watching from the stands – and father operating a video camera – Nava came to bat with the Red Sox trailing 2-1.

Nava often was regarded as too little to play during his career at all levels. Undrafted out of college, he was the MVP of the independent Golden League in 2007, and signed with Boston.

As he rounded second base, it began to hit him, what he’d accomplished. Nava “started to scream. I was pumped.”

Cardinals will sign RHP Suppan soon

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa says the Cardinals expect to sign Jeff Suppan and add the right-hander to their injury-depleted rotation early next week.

Suppan was cut by the Milwaukee Brewers this week. He was the MVP of the 2006 NLCS with St. Louis.

La Russa said he expects the 35-year-old Suppan to start in the three-game series against Seattle that begins Monday in St. Louis. The Cardinals have not announced a starter for Tuesday’s game.

The Cardinals have right-handers Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny on the disabled list.

Sox place Matsuzaka on 15-day DL

Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka was a late scratch before his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies and was placed on the 15-day disabled list just before the game’s first pitch with a strained forearm.

The Red Sox recalled left-hander Dustin Richardson from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Matsuzaka’s spot on the roster.