Rios emerging in relative obscurity … For almost a half-season, a certain outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays has been a major offensive force in the American League, but few south of the U.S.-Canadian border have noticed.  —  "Who is Alex Rios?" has been one of the most-asked questions …

Manager's tirade gives fans sideshow  —  EVEN PLAYER SAID IT SHOULD BE ON ESPN — AND IT WAS  —  Managerial mayhem overshadowed the Lexington Legends' 5-2 victory over the Asheville Tourists last night.  —  Tip Fairchild (9-3) threw seven innings of five-hit shutout ball …

Nevin likely to be designated as left fielder  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Phil Nevin hasn't played the outfield since 2003 with the San Diego Padres, but he probably will be starting in left field for the Cubs against Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano tonight at Wrigley Field in the opener of a seven-game homestand.

McClatchy 'extremely disappointed' in Pirates' play  —  But expresses confidence in Littlefield, Tracy  —  LOS ANGELES — The Pirates' frustration is boiling to the top.  —  "I'm extremely disappointed," owner Kevin McClatchy said shortly after the team's 11th loss in a row, 7-4, to Los Angeles yesterday at Dodger Stadium.

War Stories  —  On any given day now, you can walk into the Mets' clubhouse and find a friendly player ready to talk baseball with you.  It might not be like the good old days of the Eighties, when Kevin Elster would graphically discuss the previous night's sexual conquests, but in this PC-era …

Add on Cano to Yank woe  —  Hurt as Fish earn a split  —  A day that started with a great win ended badly at night for the Yankees.  Robinson Cano strained his left hamstring running out his sixth-inning double and had to come out of the nightcap of yesterday's split doubleheader against the Marlins at the Stadium.

Payton pushes A's past Giants in finale  —  Outfielder's four hits leads determined offensive outpouring  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Before Sunday's game, Jay Payton opted not to talk with the media.  —  There was speculation that he wasn't pleased about being replaced by Bobby Kielty in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Giants.

The mystery man  —  Texas can't solve Kim, who delivers second straight dominant outing  —  Not so long ago, Byung-Hyun Kim was something of a mystery to his own team.  —  Now, comfortable and happy in a Rockies uniform, he's evolving into a central character in a solid starting rotation.

Fun with Rookies  —  Here are some exclusive camera phone shots (the first two of Lastings Milledge and the third one of Alay Soler) from yesterday's annual rookie hazing ritual, which two years ago featured Jose Reyes dressed as a clown and David Wright in a "fruity-licious" dress.

Duaner OK, gets day off  —  TORONTO - Duaner Sanchez's neck remained sore from the pinched nerve that forced him to leave Friday's game, but the reliever had full range of motion and was upbeat upon rejoining the Mets.  Sanchez went unused at his request yesterday, with Aaron Heilman pitching …

Keeping the Baserunners  —  There are four components to offense in baseball.  Getting on base and batting for extra bases are the two biggies.  Next is advancing once on base; the fourth is avoiding losing runners on the basepaths.  The fourth is probably the one that flies furthest below the radar …

Barely 20 Years Old, but Coming of Age Fast  —  Phil Hughes had no big plans to celebrate the end of his teenage years Friday.  He had finished a workday at Waterfront Park in Trenton, and the next day he would be 20 years old.  Twenty years old and still a Yankee.

Game over?  —  Gagne's latest comeback bid clouded by uncertainty  —  LOS ANGELES — The memory of Eric Gagne entering a ballgame is one of the most profound ones that fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers have.  —  Right now, that's all Gagne is — a memory.  —  His entrances from the Dodger …

Uggla's return date in doubt  —  NEW YORK — Rookie second baseman Dan Uggla remains hopeful that he'll return this week, but there's a chance he might not play until after the All-Star break.  —  Uggla, who leads the Marlins with 13 home runs, hasn't been able to run without pain since …

Boxing Legend Roberto Duran to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch for Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Duran in Phoenix to promote Joel Casamayor vs Lamont Pearson Main Event at Celebrity Theatre July 7th 2006  —  PHOENIX, June 26 /PRNewswire/ — DRL Promotions announced today that former 5 …