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 …

Girardi catches heat from Posada  —  PITTSBURGH - Criticizing his manager isn't Jorge Posada's way, even as he spent yet another game away from his familiar spot behind the plate.  —  Privately, however, Posada has expressed his dissatisfaction with Joe Girardi's decision to start Jose Molina …

He's back via special delivery  —  Buchholz brings a new motion to Fenway  —  The last time Clay Buchholz was sighted in the major leagues, he was standing between the posts of a locker in the visitors' clubhouse at the Metrodome, a lost and lonely place.  —  He had a torn fingernail …

Ideas on how to make the All-Star Game even better  —  Complaining about the All-Star Game sure is fashionable these days.  Maybe not as fashionable as hanging out with Lenny Kravitz.  Or hugging the nearest Wimbledon runner-up.  But in serious vogue nonetheless.

Nationals Withhold Rent on Ballpark  —  Hundreds of Items Are Incomplete, Team Owners Say  —  More than midway through the baseball season, the Washington Nationals' owners have failed to pay $3.5 million in rent for the District's new ballpark, contending that the state-of-the-art stadium is still incomplete.

Breaking down the draft: Scouting Gerrit Cole  —  I decided to do a separate article on Gerrit Cole, the 28th pick in the Major League Draft by the New York Yankees, for a few reasons:  —  1. The quality of his overall stuff  —  2. The many questions about his mechanics

Ziegel: Barry who?  It's Tatis' town now  —  The 42-year-old outfielder is one of the best hitters in the game, but he can't put the ball in play from an MRI tube.  And now it's a torn hamstring that will “probably” keep Moises Alou from playing for the rest of the season, the Mets tell us.

Teahen homer lifts Royals over White Sox  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—In this series, it wasn't safe to take a lead.  —  The Chicago White Sox overcame deficits of 4-1 and 5-0 to beat Kansas City in the first two games.  On Thursday night, it was the Royals' turn as they scored four runs in the eighth …

Angels rally, beat Rangers 11-10 in 11  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—The Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers combined for 21 runs, 32 hits and five homers.  And yet, despite all those offensive fireworks, Thursday night's game turned on a couple of softly hit balls in the 11th and final inning.

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 …

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 …