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.

Delcarmen adds arm to bullpen  —  After Kason Gabbard [stats] got the win in the Red Sox [team stats]' 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves yesterday, he was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket.  PawSox reliever Manny Delcarmen will take Gabbard's roster spot in time for tonight's series opener with the Yankees in New York.

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 …

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 …

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.

Reliever's Spirits Sink After Best Pitch Doesn't  —  Next week, Scott Schoeneweis's wife and three children will join him for the summer, and he can't wait to see them.  —  "At least they don't care if Daddy stinks," said Schoeneweis, a left-handed reliever for the Mets.

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 …

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.

Sweep revenge: Tigers beat Cards  —  Inge blasts go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning  —  DETROIT — The Tigers can't take the World Series trophy back from the Cardinals.  They can hope their wins this weekend make a dent in getting them back there.