Rivera, Yanks stunned by late homer  —  In tie game in ninth, closer victimized by Royals' Guillen  —  NEW YORK — Johnny Damon saw it, and thought he had it.  Mariano Rivera agreed.  But still Damon backpedaled, shifting his gaze up, up, and finally, behind.

Griffey joins 600-homer club with blast against Marlins  —  MIAMI — Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds became the sixth player to reach 600 career home runs when he hit a pitch into the right-field seats against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium Monday night.

Melvin denies interest in Roberts  —  I just talked to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and he denied a Fox Sports report today that he is interested in Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts.  —  Ken Rosenthal, a veteran baseball reporter and reliable source on the sport …

Mariners fire hitting coach Jeff Pentland  —  TORONTO — This could be seen as an effort to upgrade the offense.  Or an effort to sacrifice a lamb.  —  Either way, Mariners hitting instructor Jeff Pentland was fired Monday morning.  —  Pentland became the first member of the Mariners organization …

Pirates Rattle Big Unit to Defeat Diamondbacks  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of a rattled Randy Johnson and a reversed home run call to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Monday.  —  Johnson limited the Pirates to six singles and struck out three in 5 2-3 innings …

Pudge, Inge to split time at catcher  —  Leyland concerned Rodriguez could wear down without rest  —  DETROIT — Brandon Inge became a former Tigers catcher four years ago when the club signed free agent Ivan Rodriguez.  Now, they're basically a catching platoon.

Manager Mike Scioscia's angle keeps Angels on even keel  —  SEATTLE — Mike Scioscia leans back in his chair in the manager's office on a recent visit to Safeco Field, rubbing his right hand through his dark but graying hair, trying to figure this thing out.

Mets OF Church headed for disabled list  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Mets outfielder Ryan Church will go on the disabled list Tuesday, still slowed by the effects of a concussion nearly three weeks ago.  —  Church's most recent examination with a neurologist didn't show dizziness or any major symptoms, the Mets said Monday.

How well can we project team defense and other UZR data...  I am going to present each team's total UZR so far in 2008 along with what I would have projected given each player's number of games played:  —  Runs are total runs saved or cost, as of Saturday, June 7.  They are not “per 150 games.”

Phils following last year's Phila. story with even better sequel … PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia story looks like it's going to be as good as it was a year ago.  Maybe even better.  —  The widely-held perception that the Mets gave away the NL East last September wasn't really fair to the Phillies …

Swisher Homers From Both Sides in White Sox Win  —  CHICAGO — Switch-hitter Nick Swisher homered from both sides of the plate and the Chicago White Sox completed a dominant four-game sweep, beating the Minnesota Twins 7-5 Monday for their seventh straight victory.

Debate Cubs vs. White Sox with Jerry Crasnick  —  Welcome to The Show!  On Monday, ESPN.com senior MLB writer Jerry Crasnick will drop by at 1 p.m. ET for another installment of “That's Debatable,” a weekly feature in which we break down a hot topic you have suggested.

Who's Next?  Odds on Deadspin's New Editor  —  With Will Leitch leaving his post as Deadspin editor, one of the most coveted jobs in online sports media is now open.  So who are the top candidates?  —  I've broken down (subjective) odds below, keeping in mind that Deadspin is a successful …

Waxman disputes Selig, Fehr '05 steroid testimony  —  Henry Waxman, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, is disputing the validity of testimony given by MLB commissioner Bud Selig and union chief Donald Fehr regarding drug testing during a March 2005 hearing, The New York Times has reported.

Percival's return to bring tough choice  —  Closer coming back Friday; Rays must decide who will go  —  ARLINGTON — Troy Percival is due to return from the disabled list on Friday, which sets up Rays management with having to make a tough choice regarding whose place Percival will take on the roster.