Mariners release first baseman Richie Sexson  —  OAKLAND — Seattle Mariners Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Lee Pelekoudas announced today that the Mariners have released first baseman Richie Sexson.  —  “We felt that at this time it was in the best interest of the ballclub …

Longoria, Hart are fans' final All-Stars  —  Rays rookie, Brewers outfielder win voting to join rosters  —  Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria and Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart have won the 32nd and final roster spots for the 79th All-Star Game on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium …

Howard homers twice to lift Phillies over Cards  —  Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins lands after the Cardinals' Chris Duncan plowed into him on a double play chance in the seventh inning of Thursday afternoon's game in Philadelphia.  Pinch-hitter Joe Mather, batting for starting pitcher Braden Looper, was safe at first.

McLouth's home run lifts Pittsburgh Pirates past New York Yankees, 4-2  —  PITTSBURGH - Like a giveaway fake mustache, the Yankees' four-game winning streak provided only a mild disguise.  The streak ended tonight because of a problem that had not ever gone away: an inability to score runs.

Alou could need surgery on torn hammy  —  Outfielder might miss rest of Mets' season after rehab injury  —  NEW YORK — Just shy of five months ago, Moises Alou marched into Spring Training and declared that he was in the best shape of his life.  Three months later, Alou called it …

Pirates promote Munoz: Bullington lost to Cleveland  —  The Pirates today promoted starter Luis Munoz from Class AA Altoona to fill the roster spot left by the optioning of John Van Benschoten last night.  —  Munoz, 26, was 3-3 with a 5.45 ERA for Class AAA Indianapolis before being demoted to Altoona …

Zito factored tabloids into choice of team  —  (07-10) 04:00 PDT New York —  All week, the tabloids here have gone cuckoo over the impending divorce of Alex Rodriguez and his wife, Cynthia, as well as their alleged love quadrangle with rockers Madonna and Lenny Kravitz.

Morneau's 5 Hits Help Twins Edge Tigers  —  DETROIT — Justin Morneau hit an 11th-inning home run, tying a career-high with his fifth hit, and the Minnesota Twins overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers 7-6 Thursday.  —  Minnesota, which stopped a three-game losing streak …

Trade involving Fuentes likely  —  MILWAUKEE — With the market for starters thin, there's growing buzz that Rockies closer Brian Fuentes will be the next pitcher traded this month.  —  Sitting in the visitors dugout Wednesday at Miller Park, general manager Dan O'Dowd said there was nothing brewing, if you will, at the moment.

Inside Pitch: Cubs, Brewers aren't locks  —  Acquiring aces may not be enough to boost NL Central clubs  —  The Brewers and Cubs have drawn aces in CC Sabathia and Rich Harden, respectively, but not everyone is ready to stamp the two teams as playoff bound.

Josh Johnson starting from scratch  —  SAN DIEGO - Called into the office at Double-A Carolina after his July 4 rehab outing, Josh Johnson experienced a bit a déjà vu.  —  “It was just like back in '05 when I got called up,” Johnson said.  —  After a prolonged absence recovering …

Dodgers agree to terms with first-round pick Ethan Martin  —  The right-hander is expected to get a signing bonus of about $1.7 million.  —  The Dodgers have agreed on the terms of a contract with first-round draft pick Ethan Martin, according to B.B. Abbott of Jet Sports Management, which represents the 19-year old right-hander.