Brewers sign Braun to eight-year deal  —  Contract for $45 million is largest for ‘zero-plus’ player  —  MILWAUKEE — It was left to the 24-year-old to reveal how much he will be paid to play baseball for the next eight years.  —  “Forty-five million dollars,” Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said without a flinch.

Game 42: Yankees at Rays  —  YANKEES  —  Ian Kennedy (0-2, 8.37) against the Tampa Bay hitters.  —  Scott Kazmir (1-1, 2.70) against the New York hitters.  —  Next time you're mad about the Yankees, remember this story from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about a high school baseball player.

Tanner Scheppers injury update  —  A week ago, Fresno State ace — and potential top 10 pick — Tanner Scheppers was scratched from his weekend start.  The Bulldogs tried to give him some extra rest and back him up to Sunday, but ended up scratching him altogether.  The reason given was shoulder tenderness.

If Edmonds produces, fickle Cubdom will love him  —  No risk, potential reward  —  Know what amuses me about Cubdom?  If Jim Edmonds rips a game-winning home run today, 40,000 fans will develop instant amnesia about why they hate him.  They'll jump, scream, dance, bow, shimmy …

Billy Wagner rips Mets teammates for ducking media  —  That undercurrent of discontent over some Mets ducking the media boiled over after Thursday's game.  —  As reporters spoke with Billy Wagner after the Mets lineup failed to capitalize on Mike Pelfrey's gem in a 1-0 loss to the Nationals at Shea Stadium …

Bergmann, Nats blank Mets  —  Defense leads the way as Washington takes three of four  —  NEW YORK - Willie Harris' diving catch in the ninth inning saved Washington, and the slick-fielding Nationals beat the New York Mets 1-0 Thursday behind Jason Bergmann's fantastic pitching performance.

NYU grad tackled during Yankee dash  —  Newly minted NYU grad William Lopez turned a day of pomp and circumstance at Yankee Stadium into a day of cop and gown when he took off his pants, dashed onto the field and tried to steal home.  —  Ignoring warnings to stay off the field …

Owner: Clemens undecided about future  —  McLane says personal services contract hasn't kicked in  —  MILWAUKEE — Despite mounting legal troubles regarding his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, Roger Clemens apparently hasn't decided whether he will retire, one of his former owners told MLB.com on Thursday.

Colon throws six scoreless for Paw Sox  —  Right-hander allows just one hit in third start in Minors  —  BUFFALO, N.Y. — For Bartolo Colon, it was one more start in Triple-A and, hopefully, one step closer to being back in a Major League rotation.  —  Colon threw a brilliant one-hit gem …

Q&A with Joba Chamberlain  —  Yankees' phenom hurler sits down with MLB.com … MLB.com: What do you remember about the circumstances of being called to the big leagues for the first time?  —  Chamberlain: It was kind of hectic, because I was getting out that night [on Aug. 6, 2007] …

DeWitt sidelined by lower-back pain  —  Martin in lineup at third base; Maza makes first big league start  —  MILWAUKEE — Dodgers third baseman Blake DeWitt, who tweaked his back the night before, was a game-time scratch for Thursday's series finale with the Brewers.

Is Part MLB's “Discipline” showing Magowan the Door?  —  The following is an editorial by Maury Brown of the Business of Sports Network.  —  It barely slipped through yesterday.  Commissioner Selig made mention of how management implicated in the Mitchell Report “has” been disciplined.

Johnson out 4-6 weeks  —  That's the latest.  Nationals are putting their first baseman on the 15-day DL.  An MRI this morning revealed a tear of the tendon sheath in his right wrist.  The injury problems for Johnson continue.  Dmitri Young will rejoin the club tomorrow to take his place.

Fast rise, fast to exit for former Cub pitcher  —  Leo Durocher's '69 Cubs were counting on young lefty Darcy Fast for a lift, but season, career ended too soon  —  It would be a better story if he had tossed his glove into the Wrigley Field crowd and walked across the street and up the marble steps …