Source: Padres claim Igawa off waivers  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  If the Yankees want to get rid of Kei Igawa, they have their chance.  —  The Padres, continuing in their attempt to upgrade their starting rotation, have claimed Igawa off waivers, major league sources told FOXSports.com.

Ortiz gives it a shot  —  BALTIMORE — Red Sox DH David Ortiz, who was administered a cortisone shot in his inflamed left shoulder Wednesday, was back in the starting lineup Friday night against tough Orioles lefthander Erik Bedard.  —  The Red Sox lost, 6-5.  —  Ortiz said it was the second cortisone shot he's had.

Answer to Annual Question: No, Rivera Hasn't Lost His Edge  —  He has taken the mound for the Yankees 242 more times than any other pitcher in the team's history.  He is 37 years old, a 13-year veteran who has pitched the equivalent of another season and a half in October.

Orioles fans cry uncle, admit they 'fired up' Sox fan base  —  If you flash back with me a month or so ago, you may remember me touching base on a "Take Back the Yard" night planned by a fine Baltimore-area sports blog, The Loss Column.  The premise: Get Red Sox fans the heck out of Camden Yards …

Bonds' gear at Cooperstown  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Excited kids in baseball caps swarmed around the helmets from Barry Bonds' home run record at-bats that went on display here Friday, while other fans showed the same sort of ambivalence that has dogged the slugger's career.

Ankiel propels Cardinals to win  —  Right fielder hits three-run homer in first game since 2004  —  ST. LOUIS — When it was all said and done, after his team beat the Padres 5-0, Rick Ankiel stood in front of his locker with the sweat still dripping down his face and a smile that just wouldn't go away.

Cust's 7 RBIs help A's past Tigers 16-10  —  DETROIT (AP) — Jack Cust hit a grand slam and drove in seven runs, and the Oakland Athletics rallied after blowing a seven-run lead to beat the reeling Detroit Tigers 16-10 on Friday night.  —  Travis Buck had four hits, scored three times and drove in three runs for Oakland.

Chipper swats away Mets, N.Y. media  —  New York — Chipper Jones awoke to flaming tabloid headlines Thursday, like "CHIPPER'S A-BOMB" and "A'ROID SHOCKER," which wouldn't have been so bad if they had been paired with stories like, "I CLONED MYSELF AT BREAKFAST" and "ELVIS TAUGHT ME HOW TO HIT A CURVE."

Nats win behind Hanrahan's arm, bat  —  Rookie right-hander smacks key double, earns victory  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It's a story about two players.  One could be sent down to the Minor Leagues as early as next week, while the other has a clear mind to play the game of baseball the right way.

MAINE SINKING FAST  —  METS: 'HE'LL BE FINE'  —  John Maine's earned run average continued its ascent toward ordinary-pitcher territory yesterday.  —  After arguably deserving a spot on the NL All-Star team for his first-half accomplishments, Maine's summer nosedive continued with his third defeat …

Mr. Met for the Hall of Fame?  —  The Mets announced this week that Mr. Met is one of 12 nominees for induction to the Mascot Hall of Fame this year.  While popular sentiment would dictate that Mr. Met should be voted into the Hall, a fairer way of evaluating his candidacy …

Yankees' young hurlers dominate Indians  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Thrown into the middle of a heated playoff chase, the 21-year-olds pitched like they belonged.  —  The New York Yankees might not be aging so fast after all.  —  Phil Hughes dominated Cleveland for six innings …

Lee's all look alike to ESPN's Jon Miller  —  So this past Sunday night, during the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecast of the Mets-Cubs game - which also happened to be Tom Glavine's 300th career victory) there was some typically horrible broadcasting.  —  But this time it wasn't Joe Morgan's doing.

Mets still deciding on Beltran  —  A little lineup intrigue this evening.  The Mets still have not decided if Carlos Beltran will be activated from the disabled list for tonight's game, despite a lengthy conversation with GM Omar Minaya and manager Willie Randolph.

Ex-Padres farmhand fails drug test in Japan  —  TOKYO (AP) — An American pitcher is the first player to fail a drug test in Japanese baseball history.  According to the league's commissioner, Rick Guttormson tested positive for a banned substance and has been suspended for 20 days.