Cubs lose to Astros in lightning-shortened game  —  The clock on top of the venerable Wrigley Field scoreboard read 8:06 p.m. Monday when tornado sirens began to wail in the darkness.  Action between the Cubs and Astros had been suspended already for nearly a half-hour.

D-Backs, Haren agree to two more years  —  Agreement runs through 2012, with club option for 2013  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension with right-hander Dan Haren.  —  The club is set to announce the deal at a 3 p.m. MST news conference.

David Ortiz feels ‘click’ in bad wrist  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - If the departure of Manny Ramirez [stats] didn't have him worried enough, David Ortiz [stats] sufficiently tweaked his ailing left wrist in the ninth inning of last night's 4-3 loss …

Under The Knife  —  Dealing with Delays  —  I can't say enough good things about participating in Newberg Night, and I can't say enough bad things about flying on United, so let's start with the positives.  Joe Sheehan and I were lucky enough to be the Opening Act for Jon Daniels' ninety-minute Q …

Joba Chamberlain Versus History  —  When Joba Chamberlain left Monday night's game against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning with stiff right shoulder, more than just the state of New York's rotation was at stake.  —  Chamberlain has charted a course through twelve starts that rates better …

Schilling reveals past run-in with Manny  —  Curt Schilling today revealed details of a physical confrontation he had with Manny Ramirez in 2005.  —  In an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI this morning, Schilling described the incident, in which he and Ramirez “had to be broken up” …

Fielder sorry for pushing Parra in Brewers' dugout  —  Fielder, Parra Scuffle In Dugout As Brewers Fall To Reds  —  CINCINNATI — Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder apologized Tuesday for pushing a teammate in the dugout during a loss, saying he should have done a better job …

Cubs activate closer Wood  —  Club says pitcher will return in middle relief role for now  —  CHICAGO — Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, but Lou Piniella maintained that the right-hander will be used in middle relief rather than immediately resume his role as the closer.

The most overrated position in sports  —  When Jerome Holtzman, a legendary baseball writer and a good man, died two weeks ago, I hoped some closer would celebrate a save by pumping his fist, falling to his knees, pointing to the sky and shouting, “This one is for you, Jerome!”

AMAZIN'S IN RUNNING FOR GARCIA  —  Beset by pitching injuries, the Mets are expected to be in the running for veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia if the two-time All-Star holds up well this afternoon in an open workout in Miami.  —  Several teams are scheduled to scout the workout at the University of Miami …

Wild comeback comes up short  —  O's plate four in ninth vs. K-Rod, but Sherrill can't force extras  —  ANAHEIM — Sometimes you get the save, and sometimes the save gets you.  —  Both the Orioles and Angels played for a special arrangement for their closer Monday night, only to see them both backfire in a 6-5 win for Los Angeles.

O's put Jones on DL with fractured foot  —  Center fielder expected to miss four to six weeks; Montanez called up from Bowie  —  The Orioles have placed center fielder Adam Jones on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 3, with a fractured left foot.

Some Yankees Scouts Under Investigation  —  Several Yankees employees who scouted in the Dominican Republic have been placed on leave by the organization pending an investigation by Major League Baseball into the signing of prospects, according to a person in baseball who has been briefed on the matter.