WORLD SERIES / TORONTO BLUE JAYS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES : NOTES

Despite going four for seven with three stolen bases in Games 2 and 3, Sanders was benched against left-hander Key Wednesday. Ron Gant returned to left field, and Lonnie Smith was used as the designated hitter.

“Deion hasn’t seen a left hander in a long time,” Cox said. “Early in the year he hit them pretty good, but it’s been a long time since he faced one for an entire game.”

Sanders has only 96 major league at-bats against left-handers in parts of four seasons, collecting 20 hits. He was 13 for 48 this year.

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The managerial sweepstakes:

Texas Rangers--Expected to name Kevin Kennedy, former manager of the Dodgers’ triple-A Albuquerque farm club and currently a Montreal Expo coach, to succeed interim manager Toby Harrah.

Colorado Rockies--Front-runner is Bill Virdon, a coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Seattle Mariners--Still early in the process to select a successor to fired Bill Plummer, but former Ranger manager Bobby Valentine could be the leading candidate depending on his price tag.

Cincinnati Reds--Ron Oester, who managed the Reds’ double-A farm club, is considered the favorite, with longtime Red Tony Perez still in the picture.