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.

Caught napping on the job  —  Cubs stumble to 10th loss in last 12 games despite Lee's return  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Derrek Lee was driven from Des Moines to Minneapolis after Saturday night's game at Triple-A Iowa, getting only a few hours of sleep before his long-awaited return to the Cubs' lineup.

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 …

Bonds leaves game with knee irritation  —  SAN FRANCISCO —Barry Bonds left Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics after the second inning with irritation in his left knee, a day after the San Francisco slugger connected for his 719th home run.  —  Bonds is day to day.

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.

New stadium not on time for Hunter  —  Normally when a team moves into a new ballpark, it generates enough money to keep its stars long-term.  —  Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, however, isn't sure he wants to wait for the Twins to open their new park in 2010.  —  "It's not the Twins.

May be time for Purpura to act boldly  —  CHICAGO — The Astros are a broken team.  Let's begin with that fundamental word.  Team.  —  Baseball is a game of numbers.  They're used to evaluate players and analyze seasons.  They're at the core of every decision.  Numbers, numbers, numbers.

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 …

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.

Notes: Ellis ready for rehab assignment  —  Second baseman will play for Sacramento on Monday  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A's manager Ken Macha said second baseman Mark Ellis will have a rehab assignment in Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.  —  Ellis has been on the 15-day disabled list since fracturing …

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.

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.