Manny did the time, but what about the crime?  —  In first game back from drug suspension, Ramirez is the celebrated straw that stirs the drink, with fans and teammates welcoming him with open arms, no questions asked.  —  From San Diego — Manny Ramirez was released from the substance slammer Friday …

Phillies torch Livan Hernandez and beat Mets 7-2  —  PHILADELPHIA — Rodrigo Lopez took a three-hitter into the seventh inning in his first outing in two years, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game home losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the Mets on Friday night.

Rafael Palmeiro continues to deny knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs  —  Rafael Palmeiro spent some time reflecting before he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday.  —  Palmeiro's legacy shifted in the summer of 2005.

Conrad makes presence felt with Braves  —  Called up from Minors, delivers game-winning homer  —  WASHINGTON — Brooks Conrad was ready to take his first at-bat in the top of the second inning of the Gwinett Braves' game Thursday, when manager Dave Brundage asked the infielder if he still wanted to hit.

Marlins wives to hold annual tackle box auction July 4  —  The Florida Marlins Wives are teaming together to host the Annual Marlins Wives Tackle Box Auction on Saturday, July 4, during the Marlins-Pirates game at Land Shark Stadium, which starts at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Gehrig, veterans honored this weekend  —  MLB to promote ALS awareness and wear Stars & Stripes  —  When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth …

Lawyer Says 2003 Clemens Drug Test Was Negative  —  In recent months, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa have been linked to the list of 100 or so players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, the first season such tests were conducted by Major League Baseball.

Three runs in 16th give Tigers victory over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night.  —  Polanco drove in a run in the top …

Johnson's 11th-inning double lifts Mariners over Red Sox  —  BOSTON (AP) — Rob Johnson doubled home two runs in the 11th inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night.  —  George Kottaras hit his first major-league homer in the bottom of the 11th for the Red Sox …

BoSox in talks with coveted Cuban SS … The Red Sox are in serious discussions with Cuban shortstop whiz Jose Iglesias, according to a league source.  —  If finalized, the contract is expected to be for about $8 million, perhaps a little bit more than that, according to people familiar with the talks.

Giants look to acquire left-handed bat  —  is going to walk through that door.  But the San Francisco Giants, who headed into the holiday weekend on top of a 10-team pack separated by just four games for the National League wild-card berth, are also past the point of conceding they can't win …

It's so wrong to celebrate Manny's return  —  Widespread love for Ramirez upon his being back in Dodgers' lineup a puzzling thing  —  That dreadlocked bon vivant, Manny Ramirez, will rejoin us — and the Dodgers — this weekend after eight weeks of purgatory on Planet Manny.  Whoop-de-doo.

Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 0  —  DENVER (AP) — Jorge De La Rosa pitched eight innings, Ian Stewart hit a solo homer and the Colorado Rockies beat the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 on Friday night.  —  The Rockies have won a season-best six straight at Coors Field, and moved …

Wright Hears an Apology From Franco for Criticism  —  PHILADELPHIA — David Wright landed in Philadelphia on Thursday night and saw that while he was in the air on the Mets' charter flight, he had received a message.  Upon checking his voice mail, he heard an apology from John Franco.