Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon challenges top of lineup to wake up … BOSTON — The production from top of the Yankees lineup has been a major part of the team's month-long resurgence.  But against the Red Sox thus far, the head of the Yankees order hasn't come close to matching that output …

St. Louis Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa defends Hal McRae  —  MIAMI — The Cardinals enjoyed the National League's most productive offense in April.  They have endured its least productive one since.  To manager Tony La Russa, the same players celebrated for the earlier breakout …

Yankees must put an end to Wang disaster  —  Now what?  —  What, in the name of Steve Trout, should the Yankees do about Chien-Ming Wang?  —  They can't possibly give him another turn in the starting rotation, right?  Even if that turn comes Tuesday night against the pathetic Nationals?

Autopsy: Driver of car Adenhart rode in was DUI  —  Courtney Stewart had a blood-alcohol content of .06, above the legal limit for someone her age, prosecutors say.  —  Recommend  —  An autopsy report showed Courtney Frances Stewart had a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit …

Utley homers twice, powers Phillies past Mets in extras  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Chase Utley led off the 11th inning with his second homer of the game, moments after right fielder Jayson Werth saved Philadelphia with a diving catch, and the Phillies beat the New York Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night.

White flag time for Sox?  —  After Sox' 8th loss in last 11, Williams could be a seller  —  Sox general manager Ken Williams always has a plan.  But in the midst of eight losses through the first 11 games in June, some people might not like the latest one.

Rumblings and Grumblings — What if Washington Nationals could trade Stephen Strasburg?  —  Opinions vary on what Washington could get in return for its No. 1 pick  —  It's time once again to play America's favorite second-guessing game — What If?  —  Here's this week's mesmerizing …

Dodgers snag Big 12 Player of Year  —  Wise is first of three catchers team drafts on Day 2  —  LOS ANGELES — Five rounds is a fairly long wait for a player of the year from a major conference to get drafted.  —  North Carolina's Dustin Ackley, ACC Player of the Year, went second overall to the Mariners.

What's eating Raul  —  Raul Ibanez is one of my favorite people in baseball.  We can start there.  His oldest son Raul Jr. was born one day before our oldest daughter Elizabeth, and we exchanged little gifts for the kids once or twice.  We talked often about playing chess against each other …

Mets grab pitching, outfielders on Day 2  —  Fourth-rounder Ceciliani in mold of Red Sox's Ellsbury  —  NEW YORK — You can forgive the Mets if they have a certain vision for outfielder Darrell Ceciliani, their fourth-round pick on Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft.

Nats waste no time, sign first-round draft pick Storen  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have signed right-hander Drew Storen to a deal worth more than $1.5 million.  —  The former Brownsburg (Ind.) High School pitcher was selected 10th in the Major League Baseball draft …

Reading the Manuel  —  What Jerry should and shouldn't be criticized for  —  I'm frustrated when I hear people criticize Jerry Manuel for recent trangressions like his failure to argue when Fernando Tatis was called out at home in the bottom of the sixth inning in Saturday's …

Sox draft Michael Yastrzemski  —  Someday in the distant future, there might just be another Yaz in the Red Sox outfield.  —  In the 36th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft this afternoon, the Red Sox selected St. John's Prep (Danvers) outfielder Michael Yastrzemski.

Torre can use DH to give regulars rest  —  Los Angeles (40-21) at Texas (33-25), 5:05 p.m. PT  —  LOS ANGELES — A couple of days before the Dodgers began the two-game series against the San Diego Padres, a reporter casually asked manager Joe Torre if he was looking forward to his club's upcoming series …

The difference between real journalists and “basement bloggers”  —  Figured it was about time we had this discussion, given all the fuss about Raul Ibanez and his comments on that blogger who raised the “issue” that he “might” or “might not” be on performance enhancing drugs.

Blue Jays Agree To Sign David Dellucci  —  ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Blue Jays have agreed to sign David Dellucci.  The Indians released Dellucci last Monday after he started the season hitting .275/.333/.350.  He will report to Triple A and will likely be promoted to the majors soon.