Did Youkilis ignite scrap?  —  Multiple Red Sox players confirmed yesterday that Thursday night's dugout altercation between Manny Ramírez and Kevin Youkilis resulted from Ramírez objecting to what he believed was excessive - and chronic - complaining about the strike zone …

Texas Rangers cut ties with pitcher Ponson  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - Citing a lack of respect for teammates and the club, the Rangers suddenly severed ties with No. 3 starter Sidney Ponson on Friday.  —  General manager Jon Daniels declined to reveal specific reasons …

Game 61: Royals at Yankees (and draft news)  —  YANKEES  —  Kyle Davies (1-0, 1.80) vs. the New York hitters.  —  Darrell Rasner (3-2, 2.67) vs. the Kansas City hitters.  —  Notes: No Posada after his first game back.  Not sure why yet. ...  Damon has hit in 14 straight at 29 of 60 with 10 RBI and one strikeout. ...

Home Run Derby Swaps Ortiz for 2 to Be Named  —  David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was supposed to try to mimic Babe Ruth during a Call Your Shot promotion in next month's All-Star Game festivities at Yankee Stadium.  After the Yankees protested and Ortiz was injured, officials decided to have two players replace him.

Padres' Wolf outpitches Mets' Santana  —  SAN DIEGO (AP)—Randy Wolf pitched seven strong innings and Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in the go-ahead run to lead the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.  —  The Padres won their third straight game, all by 2-1 scores …

Tigers could lose Bonderman  —  As if the Tigers didn't have enough problems, they begin a 10-game homestand tonight with new concerns about right-hander Jeremy Bonderman.  —  After reporting some discomfort around his right shoulder, Bonderman went to see a doctor this afternoon.

Hiroki Kuroda shuts down Cubs  —  He throws a complete game shutout and Dodgers acquire shortstop Angel Berroa from Royals.  —  Hiroki Kuroda said he felt he regained something that he lost when he left Japan to play in the major leagues: the ability to deliver every pitch with everything he had …

Boss Jr. asks for Cash back  —  Having spent the past few days with him at the first-year player draft in Florida, Hank Steinbrenner has informed Brian Cashman he wants him to return next season as GM of the Yankees.  —  The organization's co-chairman said the sides are “a ways away” …

Cuban still believes he has a shot at Cubs  —  Mark Cuban addressed several subjects today while guesting on the “Waddle and Silvy Show” on WMVP-AM (1000).  —  Here's a transcript of the interview:  —  Where are you on this whole thing about buying the Cubs:

Victorino's hit, throw lift Phils in 10  —  ATLANTA (AP)—Kelly Johnson's unlikely ninth-inning error gave the Philadelphia Phillies new life.  —  Shane Victorino took advantage with his bat and arm the next inning.  —  Victorino drove in the go-ahead run with a triple in the 10th …