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 …

Pirates top Yankees 4-2 in makeup game  —  PITTSBURGH (AP)—Many pitchers wish they could redo a start against the New York Yankees.  Paul Maholm did, and couldn't have been much happier with the result.  —  Nate McLouth got a second chance after messing up a bunt attempt, and it turned out much better, too.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …