The case against — and the small one for — Jesus Montero  —  I may have already told everyone this story, and if so, I apologize.  But a few years ago, I saved some money and took one of those online classes on baseball scouting.  Mostly, it was reading a bunch of books …

Griffey's RBI single caps M's walkoff win vs. Jays  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. awakened the slumping Mariners with a game-winning, pinch-hit single to cap Seattle's three-run rally off AL saves leader Kevin Gregg in the ninth with a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

News and notes from Fenway  —  The Red Sox have no interest at this time in Pat Burrell, the former Tampa Bay Rays DH, released last week.  Burrell cleared waivers yesterday, but with an improving DH situation with David Ortiz and Mike Lowell, the Sox wouldn't have a space for another one-dimensional player.

Cowboy up: Millar joins NESN  —  During his three seasons with the Red Sox (2003-05), it became clear that affable Kevin Millar would be a natural in the broadcast media once his playing days were complete.  —  The folks at NESN apparently agreed.  The network announced today …

Mark Lerner's batting practice misadventure  —  Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner received stitches this evening after an unfortunate moment during today's batting practice.  —  Lerner, as he occasionally does, was shagging fly balls in full Nationals uniform alongside his team.

MLB denies New York Yankees' protest from Boston Red Sox game  —  The Yankees lost the game and the protest.  —  Major League Baseball president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy announced on Thursday that New York's protest regarding events in Tuesday night's 7-6 loss to the Red Sox has been denied.

Piniella OK with idea of signing Howry  —  PHILADELPHIA- Carlos Marmol credits Kerry Wood and Bob Howry with teaching him how to become a successful late-inning reliever, forgetting about the bad outings and focusing on the good ones. .  —  Now the Cubs are close to signing Howry to fill …

Strasburg dominant again in latest outing in AAA … ROCHESTER, N.Y. — There really isn't much to add to the Stephen Strasburg hype orchestra.  He's obviously too good to be pitching in Triple A. Working for the Syracuse Chiefs against the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night …

Hanley Ramirez: Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Tony Perez took Florida Marlins shortstop aside for lecture … Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Tony Perez took Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez aside on Tuesday and let him know he needed to apologize and atone for failing to hustle …

Melvin backs Macha  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin spoke up Thursday in support of field manager Ken Macha, whose job security has been called into question during a losing streak that reached nine games with Wednesday's loss to the Pirates.  —  “I don't see any reason” …

Moore outlines plans for KC's future  —  GM has Royals moving forward with robust farm system  —  CLEVELAND — Royals general manager Dayton Moore made a very difficult short-term decision for his team's future when he replaced his good friend, Trey Hillman, as manager with Ned Yost.

Incident better be Hanley's wake-up call  —  Extremely talented Marlins shortstop needs to grow up and stop being so ‘immature’ … The phone calls have already started rolling in down in South Florida.  They go kind of like this:  —  “If you're thinking about trading your shortstop, we'd be happy to help you out with that.”

Minor League Transactions  —  Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.  —  An asterisk (*) denotes an instance of a player agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with an organization with which he already had a major league agreement.

Venable flirts with Padres' first cycle  —  Right fielder falls homer shy with 4-for-5 performance  —  LOS ANGELES — The approach, manager Bud Black told the slumping Will Venable, should be the same in the leadoff spot as it is elsewhere.  —  Batting atop the order for the first time this season …

BLS photo: Theo Epstein wearing a disguise at the Pearl Jam show  —  The Internet is a wonderful place.  Write about Theo Epstein and the controversy surrounding his attendance of a Pearl Jam show one day, receive a picture of the Red Sox GM wearing a fake mustache at the concert in your email inbox the very next morning!