Signing Josh Hamilton to extension a priority for Rangers  —  ARLINGTON - The new ownership group has spoken often about the desire to sign left-hander Cliff Lee once he hits free agency in the off-season.  While that is the top priority, signing Josh Hamilton to a long-term extension …

Lind, Romero give Blue Jays win over Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ricky Romero pitched seven solid innings one day after signing a multi-year contract extension, Adam Lind homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Sunday.  —  Romero (10-7) allowed six hits, struck out four and walked three.

The greatness of baseball  —  My mother was and continues to be my biggest fan.  She has been there since I was eight years old playing Little League in Southington, Connecticut, shouting encouragement from the stands.  —  I'll never forget 20 years ago during the NCLS …

Twins take no-hitter into eighth, down Oakland 4-2  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Slowey held Oakland without a hit for seven innings and Minnesota took a team no-hitter into the eighth as the Twins defeated the Athletics 4-2 on Sunday.  —  Slowey combined with Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain and Matt Capps …

Hip check: A-Rod's three jacks power Yanks  —  Slugger works out mechanical flaw in power display vs. Royals  —  KANSAS CITY — Alex Rodriguez might have saved the most impressive blast for the finale of his own personal power showcase, rocketing a ninth-inning drive into the scarcely-reached …

Crew hopeful of signing top pick Covey  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid met with 2010 first-round Draft pick Dylan Covey and his family in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday night, but entered the final 48 hours of the signing window having yet to make a firm contract offer.

Twins' Slowey lifted after 7 no-hit innings  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Twins pitcher Kevin Slowey has tossed seven no-hit innings against the Oakland Athletics, only to watch Jon Rauch give up a hit on the second batter he faced.  —  Slowey walked three and struck out five Sunday before he was replaced …

Reds hope to sweep Marlins  —  Former phenom Homer Bailey makes his first big-league start in nearly three months when the Cincinnati Reds go for the sweep against the Florida Marlins in today's finale of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.  —  The Reds made it two straight wins …

Galarraga, Avila scuffle in Tigers dugout  —  CHICAGO — Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga and catcher Alex Avila had to be separated by teammates during a dugout dispute in the second inning of Detroit's 13-8 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Major League Baseball umpires miss 20 percent of close calls, according to “Outside The Lines” survey … This season in Major League Baseball has seemingly brought a new umpiring controversy every week, with Jim Joyce's blown call in the Armando Galarraga near-perfect game standing out.

Check back on contenders when the dealing's done  —  When the Giants acquired Jose Guillen from the Royals Friday for a player to be named, it was the fifth waiver deal made after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.  That number seems small considering the way so many general managers spoke …