Clemens announces to crowd he'll play for Yanks  —  NEW YORK — The seventh-inning stretch was ending when the low, familiar voice of public-address announcer Bob Sheppard told fans at Yankee Stadium to direct their attention to the owner's box behind home plate.

Lawrence signs with Mets  —  Cincinnati - Unable to crack the Rockies' rotation, Brian Lawrence will attempt to restart his career with the New York Mets.  —  Lawrence signed with the Mets on Sunday, according to his agent.  He is expected to make some minor-league starts to rebuild arm strength.

Twins place Mauer on 15-day DL  —  Minnesota calls up catcher Heintz from Triple-A Rochester  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins will be without starting catcher Joe Mauer for at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a strain in his left quad muscle and the team placed him on the 15-day disabled list.

Outfield not Piniella's favorite topic, OK?  —  With Felix Pie getting a reprieve, it seemed like a fair line of questioning to ask about his role in the still crowded Cubs outfield.  —  But manager Lou Piniella got testy when asked about the rookie's future during his pregame media briefing Sunday, finally ending it abruptly.

Pierzynski lifts ChiSox by Angels in 10  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A.J. Pierzynski tied the score with a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth inning, then singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th to lead the Chicago White Sox past the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Sunday.

Peavy stymies Marlins in brilliant outing  —  Ace fans 10, allows just one run, one hit over seven frames  —  MIAMI — When the Padres signed Greg Maddux to a one-year, $10 million contract in December, they did so to bolster their starting rotation, not because they were seeking a clubhouse tutor.

D-backs snap losing skid  —  Hernandez in control as club ends Mets' mastery in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — The end of the weekend is usually a time to wipe the slate clean and get ready for a fresh start in a new week.  —  That's exactly what the D-backs did on Sunday afternoon at Chase Field …

Mets Come Up Empty in Their Bag of Tricks  —  Mike Pelfrey and John Maine were sitting around the Chase Field clubhouse Thursday reminiscing about the bad old days.  The conversation centered on last July, when Maine fell to -3 with a loss to the Florida Marlins but had pitched well enough …

Chipper takes umpire to task  —  Chipper Jones finally agreed to rest Sunday, but it wasn't exactly a leisurely afternoon for the Braves third baseman.  —  Pinch-hitting in the five-run seventh inning, he struck out on a checked-swing attempt and got ejected by third-base umpire Bob Davidson …

Sabathia, Nixon lead Tribe past O's 9-6  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Trot Nixon went 5-for-5 with four RBIs, C.C. Sabathia remained unbeaten despite allowing nine hits, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-6 Sunday.  —  Casey Blake and Jason Michaels each drove in two runs for the Indians …

Hunter slams M's, Weaver  —  Mariners starter knocked around as Twins rout Seattle  —  There was a time in Tuesday's game with Minnesota when the Mariners, although trailing, still had a chance of pulling out a victory.  —  The Twins were up 3-1 in the fifth and had the bases loaded.

Inside the Pirates: Many ways to define defense  —  Despite team's low error total, fundamentals appear lacking  —  The most conventional numbers will show, unambiguously, that the Pirates are not a good defensive team but a very good one.  —  Stay with us here.

Phils' Garcia hurts leg, may miss start  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Phillies right-hander Freddy Garcia was injured Sunday night when he ran into an equipment cart that had stopped along the warning track in San Francisco's ballpark.  —  Garcia bruised his left leg in the collision …

Angels interested in Atkins, two others  —  Cincinnati - The Los Angeles Angels have discussed Colorado names to bolster their offense.  If the Angels had their way, they would replace Garret Anderson's bat - he's out for several weeks with a torn right hip flexor - with Garrett Atkins'.