Offense Gets Save as Rivera Falters  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The comments from Hank Steinbrenner swirled around the Yankees during batting practice Tuesday, before a crucial game against the Minnesota Twins.  It was not your standard motivational speech.  —  Steinbrenner, the Yankees' co-chairman …

Youk's blast saves Sox from shame  —  Decisive eighth-inning homer negates blown 10-run lead  —  BOSTON — Remember that roller-coaster ride during your youth that seemed liked it twisted and turned so much you thought it would never end?  Turns out the Red Sox decided to construct one of their own on Tuesday.

Pujols sees Ramirez moving to third  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Albert Pujols had an interesting answer when asked recently what he sees down the road for fellow Dominican Hanley Ramirez.  —  “I definitely don't think he's going to finish his career at shortstop,” Pujols said.

Garcia to sign with Tigers … Freddy Garcia has agreed to a contract with the Tigers, SI.com has learned.  Garcia had been a free agent, and has not pitched since June of 2007 with the Philadelphia Phillies, when shoulder problems limited him to just 11 starts.

Source: Owings to be dealt to Reds  —  Righty, along with another player, would complete Dunn trade  —  PITTSBURGH — The return on the trade that sent outfielder Adam Dunn from the Reds to the Diamondbacks may soon become clearer.  —  There were indications on Tuesday …

Quentin, Morneau Alone Fit Criteria for AL MVP  —  By this point in a season, nothing is easier to predict than a race for the Most Valuable Player award, which goes not to the best player but to the best player who fulfills a variety of arbitrary criteria.  Once you admit that the award …

Crawford to have surgery on hand  —  Two-time All-Star outfielder expected to be out 6-8 weeks  —  OAKLAND — Carl Crawford will have surgery on Thursday to repair the subluxation of his right middle finger tendon and is scheduled to be out 6-8 weeks.  —  “After going through …

Kazmar gets unexpected call  —  Padres summon shortstop from Double-A  —  SAN DIEGO — Sean Kazmar was preparing to take a six-game road trip to Missouri and Arkansas with Double-A San Antonio on Monday when he was informed he was headed somewhere else — San Diego.

Josh Hamilton ready to help Jeff Allison  —  Having waged his own successful and ongoing battle against drug dependency, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton wants to reach out to other baseball players now walking in his shoes.  —  To that end, he plans to contact Peabody native Jeff Allison …

Steinbrenner not writing off season, says Yanks ‘going to win it next year’  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Hank Steinbrenner blames injuries for the New York Yankees' slide from contention.  —  The Yankees are in danger of missing of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Lincecum Hurt by Line Drive  —  (08-12) 19:30 PDT HOUSTON - — Tim Lincecum is hurt.  —  Four words that no Giants fan wanted to read or hear.  —  The franchise is holding its collective breath because The Franchise limped off the mound in the fifth inning tonight, having gotten drilled …

Andruw Jones is put on the disabled list  —  The struggling outfielder is bothered by patellar tendinitis in his left knee, according to the Dodgers, who use the roster spot to activate Nomar Garciaparra.  —  Did the Dodgers place Andruw Jones on the disabled list because of a knee that bothered him or a swing that pained them?

Kauffman renovations progressing  —  Project to update Royals' home ahead of schedule  —  KANSAS CITY — On Monday morning, they took away the seats.  —  About 15 hours before, people had sat there, on the first-base line and in the upper deck on the left-field side, and watched Tony Pena Jr. hit a walk-off single against the Twins.

Character references  —  “Just look at the guys we added: Character guys, winners.  We anticipate they're good clubhouse guys, guys with an edge which is something we needed a bit more of.”  —Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi  —  “If I stood for anything while I'm here in Toronto …

Nationals, Crow far from closing deal  —  Club has until Friday to sign 2008 first-round Draft pick  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals and pitcher Aaron Crow, the team's first-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, are not close to agreeing to terms on a contract.

Red Sox, with pitching concerns, acquire Byrd from Indians  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Paul Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz.  —  The Red Sox will send either a player to be named or cash to the Indians.