Guest of honor couldn't stay long  —  It was Pedro-palooza.  It was foul pole-to-foul pole, wall-to-Wall adulation.  Fenway Park was a sea of love for the man who gave the best years of his life to Red Sox Nation.  —  And then the ghost of John Wasdin invaded the body of Pedro Martínez …

Nationals' Woes Are 'Getting Very Sad'  —  TORONTO, June 28 — If Frank Robinson had his way, 25 men would have walked out of the visitors' clubhouse at Rogers Center on Wednesday night with one purpose.  They might have headed directly to their hotel rooms or out to grab a beer, but it didn't matter.

Last day to make All-Star vote count  —  Fans cast 2.3 million ballots on final day of voting last season  —  It's the bottom of the ninth for the Monster All-Star Online Ballot here at MLB.com, and let's assume that baseball fans once again break the record for number of ballots cast in the final 24 hours of voting.

5-1 Rangers' loss part of a bad ERA  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Last year, the decline and fall of the Rangers' playoff chances began when the starting rotation crumbled in June.  —  Well, here's the bad news: Statistically speaking, this June has been even worse.

Figgins Receives Some Rest, Needed or Not  —  Some might find it curious that in the search for an offensive spark, Mike Scioscia would deprive his team of one of its most consistent sparkplugs.  —  But that essentially was the move made Wednesday by the Angels manager …

Commentary: Marlins scratching another 6-year itch  —  MIAMI GARDENS — This is at least as much about learning as it is about winning.  —  Which is exactly how it should be.  —  What the Baby Marlins are doing is amazing and wonderful and tantalizing stuff even in the wake …

Shawn not happy to wait his turn  —  Shawn Chacon had eight days between his last two starts, and by the time he takes the mound again on Tuesday, it will have been nine days since he was in a game.  In other words, he's been doing an unprecedented amount of waiting recently.

Bay says Pirates need to make big changes — and soon  —  Bay says Pirates need to make big changes — and soon  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jason Bay, discouraged by a record-setting losing streak, called on the Pittsburgh Pirates to start making changes to a club that is fast closing in on its 14th consecutive losing season.

Advising A-Rod?  That's Sweet, Lou  —  Ex-skipper manages to help  —  When he walked out of Yankee Stadium Tuesday night, Alex Rodriguez was probably about at his lowest ebb.  It had been another frustrating and fruitless night at the plate in which he had once again struck out …

Second thoughts: Phillies say mistakes made in Myers case.  —  BALTIMORE - Under a broiling sun, Scott Palmer sat in the stands at Camden Yards yesterday and spoke of the troubles that had beset the Phillies' organization after pitcher Brett Myers' arrest last week on charges that he beat his wife, Kim, on a Boston street corner.

Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week  —  How the interleague schedule is affecting the Midwest.  —  If you'd like one simple example of how the interleague schedule impacts your favorite team, look no further than the two Central divisions.  Due to the sheer dominance the American League …

Sweep-minded Padres call on Peavy  —  Oakland (41-36) at San Diego (41-36), 12:35 p.m. PT  —  Bruce Bochy is encouraged by what he's seen of Jake Peavy in his past few starts.  —  "He's been vintage Jake," the Padres manager said.  "He looks like he's on track to being the pitcher he is."