Notes: Righting left field  —  Ford hot after return from surgery; Kubel back to DH  —  MILWAUKEE — One of the most unsettled positions for the Twins this season has been left field.  —  It was just a few weeks ago that manager Ron Gardenhire challenged someone to step up and take the spot.

Big Unit strikes out 10, beats Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Try telling the Pittsburgh Pirates that Randy Johnson is 43 years old.  —  Johnson, rounding into shape following offseason back surgery, struck out 10 in 5 2-3 innings to win his second start in a row and pitch the Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory over the Pirates on Sunday.

Let's break a deal  —  Yanks may look to jettison Jason  —  Jason Giambi's admission to USA Today that he once used steroids could lead to the Yankees taking another shot at voiding his contract.  —  According to baseball sources familiar with the situation who requested anonymity …

Escobar's gem fuels sweep of Dodgers  —  Righty throws eight scoreless frames en route to fifth win  —  ANAHEIM — Before this weekend's Freeway Series, the Angels talked about bragging rights and the intensity of the crosstown rivalry.  —  In the other locker room, the Dodgers talked …

Maddon keeping an eye on closer's comeback  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Do you think the Devil Rays could find room in their bullpen for a veteran with a track record of success and a reputation as a tremendous leader?  —  Former All-Star closer Troy Percival, a longtime favorite of manager Joe Maddon …

Mariners Blog … M's now five back  —  Ouch!  That one hurts.  Another very winnable game goes by the wayside.  Over in Los Angeles, Kelivm Escobar does what he's done to every team he's faced this year — save for the Mariners last week — and tosses a three-hit shutout over eight innings.

Every Given Sunday: Records Big and Small  —  Records Big and Small  — Barry Bonds insists he doesn't like to talk about his quest to become baseball's all-time home run leader.  "I'm tired of talking about me, I'd rather talk about the team," the San Francisco Giants left fielder has said repeatedly in recent weeks.

Down the line  —  Weaver to St. Louis?  Not in the cards  —  The Cardinals have the worst starting pitching in the National League.  Jeff Weaver has been the worst starting pitcher in the American League, for the Mariners.  —  Weaver and the Cardinals made for a nice combination last season …

Sox beat Atlanta, 6-3  —  Kason Gabbard came up from Triple-A and struck out a career-high seven batters while shutting Atlanta out for the first five innings to lead the Boston Red Sox [team stats] to a 6-3 victory over the Braves on Sunday.  —  Called up earlier in the day to make his 2007 debut …

Rangers pound Astros to win series  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  HOUSTON - The Rangers are coming home today.  Tom Hicks is going to Greece.  —  Hicks spent the weekend catching up with general manager Jon Daniels on Saturday and on Sunday watching his team drub Houston, 14-1, to win its first road series of the season.

Dempster goes from closer to starter back to pen  —  Ryan Dempster was ready to go from closer to starter.  The switch was a short one.  —  After telling reporters Sunday how excited he was to join the Cubs' rotation, he was called in for a meeting with manager Lou Piniella.

Red Sox could test Rivera's mettle again  —  NEW YORK — Everyone in pinstripes insists Mariano Rivera is still a safe bet, even after a rough start this season.  —  Perhaps he can prove it when the Red Sox return to town.  —  Boston usually presents the biggest challenge for the Yankees' star closer …