A healthy A.J. Burnett may be what the Jays need  —  A healthy A.J. Burnett may be piece to puzzle Jays need to finally overtake N.Y., Boston  —  Nine long years have passed since the American League East last sent any team to the playoffs besides the Yankees or Red Sox.

Kim, Rockies set sights on rubber game  —  Texas (40-35) at Colorado (37-37), 1:05 p.m. MT  —  He's not a soccer fan.  In fact, he never even played.  He's not following the World Cup.  But that doesn't stop the always relaxing Byung-Hyun Kim from playing a World Cup video …

Back Injury Puts McPherson on DL  —  PHOENIX — Dallas McPherson bent over to field a ground ball during batting practice Friday, something he does hundreds of times a week.  Only this time, his lower back locked up and the subsequent spasms sent the third baseman to the 15-day disabled list Saturday.

Phillies should have stopped Myers's start  —  Here's a toast to the fans who filled Fenway Park yesterday afternoon.  David Ortiz rewarded the throng with yet another walkoff wonder, but this crowd did itself proud long before Big Papi unloaded his latest game-winning thunderbolt.

Report: Rocker calls sensitivity training a 'farce'  —  Ozzie Guillen was ordered to attend sensitivity training for a homophobic slur he made about Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti.  According to John Rocker, Guillen won't get anything out of it.  —  When Rocker was ordered …

Mariners-Padres Preview  —  The San Diego Padres will send resurgent Chan Ho Park to the mound when they continue a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park on Saturday.  —  Park (5-3, 4.15 ERA) is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA over his last four starts.

Ortiz joins Orioles, replaces Loewen in rotation  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Russ Ortiz on Sunday, hoping that a reunion with pitching coach Leo Mazzone rekindles the success that made Ortiz a 20-game winner with Atlanta.  —  "I think Leo is always …

Womack, Bynum exit with injuries  —  Second baseman suffers back spasms, outfielder a swollen arm  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Chicago Cubs could have a 22-man roster on Sunday after losing both Tony Womack and Freddie Bynum to injuries.  —  Womack had to leave Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins …

Wakefield, Sox aim to sweep Phillies  —  Boston (44-28) vs. Philadelphia (35-39), 2:05 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox will attempt to sweep a National League East team for the third consecutive series and extend their season-high winning streak to eight when knuckleballer Tim Wakefield takes …

33 Innings, 882 Pitches and One Crazy Game  —  PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 23 — A few years ago, Bruce Hurst recalled Friday afternoon, he was on a golf course in Scottsdale, Ariz., when he ran into Cal Ripken Jr., the likely Hall of Fame shortstop.  "I'm sure he didn't remember me …

Home Run Derby not worth risk to Thome  —  If American League home run leader Jim Thome is asked to participate in the All-Star Game's Home Run Derby, he will say thanks but no thanks.  —  "It's one of those things where we have such a good thing going and with the injuries I had last year, I don't think I should do it," he said.

To Gossage, Bonds Isn't Fit for Hall  —  Goose Gossage, a Hall of Fame candidate with strong opinions on most baseball subjects, suited up for Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium yesterday.  With Barry Bonds accused of using steroids, does Gossage think Bonds's pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record of 755 is legitimate?

Ortiz is be-all, end-all  —  His walkoff HR in 10th propels Sox  —  The ball barely had touched off the black sheeting in center field when a white-towel-whipping Jonathan Papelbon (and the rest of the Red Sox) spilled out of the dugout bound for home plate and another wild reception …

As Soriano Goes, So Go the Nats  —  BALTIMORE, June 24 — It is, by now, little mystery.  When Alfonso Soriano hits, the Washington Nationals have a chance.  When he doesn't, their job becomes far more difficult.  —  After Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles …

Why Mr. Lasorda shouldn't be in our hall of fame  —  Richard Griffin says the public persona of the baseball celebrity doesn't match reality  —  Three Canadians — Ron Stead of London, Ont., Ron Hayter of Hudson Bay, Sask., and the late Larry McLean of Fredericton, N.B. — were honoured …

Rockies' big first inning helps deep-six Rangers  —  DENVER — While some may believe the old proverb that dog is man's best friend, Robinson Tejeda hoped to differ.  Saturday night, the Rangers pitcher's best friend was almost Mother Nature.  —  Unfortunately for Tejeda, she wasn't enough of a pal.

Unexplained in Oakland: The Annual About-Face  —  Oakland players after beating the Dodgers in the 17th inning on June 17 for their 10th straight victory.  The Athletics, keeping with tradition, have won 17 of their last 22 games.  —  THE Oakland Athletics need not be students of history to avoid panic.

As Upton waits, trading Lugo makes sense  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Within the next five weeks, the Devil Rays must make two decisions that could have a major impact on the team's short- and long-term future.  —  One is whether to trade shortstop Julio Lugo.  The other is whether to promote shortstop B.J. Upton from Triple A.