UMPIRE RUNGE APOLOGIZES TO MANUEL  —  Umpire Brian Runge apologized to Jerry Manuel yesterday, one day after he bumped and ejected the manager.  —  Manuel said Runge apologized when he brought out the lineup card at the beginning of the game.  —  “He had spoken to his father [Paul Runge …

Newman on Melancon: “He could stay there all year”  —  Mark Newman understands the desire to see Mark Melancon in big league pinstripes, but player development is a game of patience, and Newman is willing to wait.  With a 1.57 ERA through 11 Double-A games, Melancon has fans calmoring for a call-up …

In Pittsburgh, Posada Takes in All Things Clemente  —  PITTSBURGH — Jorge Posada is a five-time All-Star, but this week he is an awestruck fan.  The Yankees are playing in Pittsburgh, where Roberto Clemente starred for the Pirates, and Clemente is a hero to Posada.

Mets prospect Davis knew he would land in New York  —  18th overall pick anxious to get to work in Brooklyn  —  Loading...  Ike Davis, formerly of Arizona State University, is expected to get his first start as a professional baseball player Friday in Brooklyn.

Interleague certainly a significant part of the schedule  —  There's nothing quite like interleague play — if you're C.C. Sabathia, whomping a 440-foot home run in your only chance all year to swing the bat.  —  And there's nothing quite like interleague play — if you're the Kansas City Royals …

Giese stuck in Pittsburgh  —  PITTSBURGH — The Yankees' plan to fly Dan Giese home ahead of the team tonight was foiled by severe thunderstorms.  —  Giese, who is slated to start the first game of a two-stadium, Subway Series doubleheader Friday, went to the Pittsburgh airport late Thursday afternoon …

Pirates Notebook: Reliever acquired; Barthmaier coming up  —  The Pirates did find outside pitching help, as expected, but it was not for the ailing rotation.  —  Instead, general manager Neal Huntington added another power arm to the bullpen by acquiring Denny Bautista from Detroit for Class A reliever Kyle Pearson.

Fernando Martinez Selected For Futures Game  —  Minor League Baseball announced today that Binghamton Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez has been chosen to participate in the 10th Annual All-Star Futures Game next month at Yankee Stadium.  —  It is the second straight Futures Game selection for Martinez …

Wilpon misinformed about prospects  —  In defending Omar Minaya earlier this week, Mets CEO Fred Wilpon issued this questionable proclamation/criticism/evaluation:  —  “Contrary to what you all are reporting about our minor leagues, our minor leagues are in much better shape than what's being reported.”

McLane: 'We can't have anarchy' (w /audio)  —  A little over a week ago, I wrote a blog telling you the situation was quite toxic in the Astros' clubhouse and that players weren't quite buying into management's plan.  —  Well, I never imagined it would break down into a confrontation …

Dodgers lose to White Sox; interleague record falls to 3-9  —  They manage only five hits, stranding runners in scoring position in four innings.  Angels are up next.  —  The Dodger did not score.  Again.  —  They lost.  Again.  —  A game that the Dodgers started by stealing three bases …

Matsui sits again … PITTSBURGH (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui remained out of the lineup — and the batting cage — with a sore left knee Thursday and will be re-examined Friday by team doctors.  —  If he is cleared to play, Matsui could be the designated hitter …

Wieters expected to be promoted to Bowie  —  O's expected to announce first-round pick headed to Double-A affiliate  —  CHICAGO - The Orioles planned to proceed caution after drafting Matt Wieters in the 2007 draft, but the catcher has left them with little choice.

Cards waste 4 hits by Pujols  —  Not even a 4-for-4 day by Albert Pujols in his first game off the disabled list was enough to offset the Cardinals' shaky bullpen and managerial decisions.  —  After Pujols singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Detroit's Gary Sheffield tied …

Athletics' Harden Ks 11, beats Phils 5-0  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Rich Harden deliberately didn't rear back and throw as hard as he could against the Phillies.  —  The result: a career-high 11 strikeouts.  —  Harden was dominant over eight innings, allowing two hits to lead the Oakland Athletics over Philadelphia 5-0 Thursday.

Damon in lineup  —  The lineup:  —  Damon lf, Jeter ss, Abreu rf, Rodriguez 3b, Giambi 1b.  Cano 2b, Cabrera cf, Molina c, Mussina p.  —  The Yankees have won their past six games, and 11 of 12, in which they score first.  —  With six hits the past two games, Robinson Cano's average is up to .241 …