Yankees Are Frustrated by a Rainout  —  PITTSBURGH — The Yankees started Thursday's game with four extra-base hits in a row, and they were leading the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1, when a storm blew through PNC Park.  The teams waited two and a half hours before the game was postponed until July 10, with all statistics erased.

Yankees' prospects are better equipped for future  —  We arrive at Subway Series Part II with both clubs having shown hope that 2008 is not such a lost cause after all.  People, we've got to modernize ourselves: As much as you enjoy whining, today's game is all about parity …

Grilli can handle heat at Comerica  —  Based on the venom directed at Jason Grilli by Tigers fans and manager Jim Leyland, one would think the reliever was responsible for slow U.S. car sales and Michigan's statewide recession.  —  Grilli returns to Detroit tonight as the slumping Rockies open a three-game series at Comerica Park.

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 …

Breaking down the draft: Picks 18-26  —  Today, we continue our draft review series by breaking down picks 18-26.  In Part 1, we broke down a number of players in the top half of the first round, and in the THT draft primer, I laid out a few ground rules and also provided scouting reports on some of the draft's top prospects.

Angels' Joe Saunders making the most of his opportunity  —  The left-hander is 11-3 with a 3.03 earned-run average.  —  Mike Butcher thinks Joe Saunders has “that little swagger in a good way,” the kind of confidence that makes the Angels pitching coach think the left-hander …

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 …

The Kid Keeps Himself in the Picture  —  LONG BEACH, Calif. — There is a slight paunch and a tilt in his gait, the result of all the knee surgeries that serve as penance for all the years he spent as a major league catcher.  But Gary Carter, even at 54, has the same camera-ready smile …

Hudson Valley Hooey  —  A year or so ago, I implored many of my colleagues in the print and digital media to spend some time in the classroom, as I did as a adjunct Professor Of Journalism at Five Towns College in 2006-07.  At the time I explained that in addition to “giving back” …

A 1,030-word speech from Paul Lo Duca  —  After last night's game, Paul Lo Duca held court with a few reporters.  You might call it an interview, but it seemed more like an impassioned monologue.  I didn't have time last night on deadline to transcribe the full Lo Duca soliloquy, but I do now …

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 …

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 …