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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

O's put Albers on 15-day DL  —  RHP goes on disabled list with sore shoulder; team calls up reliever F. Cabrera from Norfolk  —  The Orioles placed pitcher Matt Albers on the 15-day disabled list today with a sore right shoulder and brought up reliever Fernando Cabrera from Triple-A Norfolk.

A Love Letter To The Deadspinners  —  We say this in all seriousness, and mean it about as much as we could possibly mean anything: The main goal of this site was to give people something entertaining to distract themselves from their desk jobs.  We feel like we somewhat succeeded in this role …

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.”

From Underdogs to National Champions, Fresno State Completes Amazing Run  —  Fresno State completed the most improbable run in recent college sports history as they became the lowest seed ever to win a national championship defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 6-1 on Wednesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium.