Papelbon proves to be a dominant factor  —  In discussing the New York Yankees dynasty of the late 1990s, veteran right-hander David Cone once described closer Mariano Rivera as "The X Factor."  Now, inside the walls of antiquated Fenway Park, that is precisely what Jonathan Papelbon is becoming for the Red Sox.

Angels fall short of sweep in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — Orlando Hudson broke open a tie game by drilling a three-run homer in the fifth inning as the Diamondbacks handed the Angels a 9-7 loss in front of 24,778 on Sunday afternoon.  —  The loss prevented the Angels from getting their first sweep …

Mariners-Padres Preview  —  Seattle's Joel Pineiro hopes to even his record and defeat San Diego for the third time in his career as Mariners and Padres close their series at Petco Park on Sunday.  —  In his last start, Pineiro (6-7, 5.34 ERA) struggled through 6 1-3 innings …

Ozzie's slurring topped only by Ozzie's skating  —  I keep thinking of a sportswriter who was suspended 30 days, without pay, for a first-case slip of the tongue.  I keep thinking of an owner who was banished from baseball, a general manager who was disgraced for life, broadcasters who have lost their jobs.

Walks hurt Marmol, Santana hurts Cubs  —  Three of rookie's free passes go on to score; Nevin homers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — If the Chicago Cubs are going to start young pitchers, then they have to live with the growing pains that Carlos Marmol went through Friday night.

Bonds makes early exit with ailing knee  —  Slugger walked and scored in second and did not return  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants slugger Barry Bonds left Sunday's game against the Oakland A's following the second inning after aggravating his surgically repaired left knee.

Notes: Showalter searching for starters  —  DENVER — The Rangers, going into Sunday's game, are 27-8 this season when they get six innings from their starting pitchers.  —  The problem is getting those six innings from their starters, something that had occurred just four times …

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 …

What The Hell Does George Will Know?  —  It was more than 700 Sundays ago that I found myself in my father's house on the morning his oil burner busted.  As we waited and shivered in anticipation of a local heating technician who would deign to show up on the Sabbath, we wordlessly stared at whatever was on television in his kitchen.

Ortiz joins O's, ex-coach Mazzone  —  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 up for a challenge," Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said.

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 …

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 …

Dodgers top Bucs for fourth straight  —  Furcal delivers biggest blow as LA polishes off sweep  —  LOS ANGELES — After handedly defeating the Pirates two days in a row, the Dodgers finally saw the Bucs put up a fight on Sunday afternoon.  A 14-hit day, however, would hand Los Angeles its fourth straight win, 7-4.