Swept, but hardly cleaned out  —  If a team struggles alone, in the forest of ineptitude that is the National League, does anyone hear it?  —  The Mets, after all, saw their National League East lead drop to 11 games last night, as a 4-2 loss to the Red Sox sent them to the Subway Series as victims of a Fenway Park sweep.

Deaf to Boos, Rodriguez Finally Hears the Cheers  —  Alex Rodriguez must have heard the boos when he failed to reach base in the 1st and 10th innings, and again in the 11th when he made an error.  Or did he?  After yesterday's game, Rodriguez said his hearing was going bad, likening himself to a swimmer with clogged ears.

Pirates demote Perez to minors  —  Pirates demote Perez to minors  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates opening-day starter Oliver Perez was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, the club's latest move to try to turn around the hard-throwing pitcher once viewed as their staff ace.

Notes: Rangers waiting on contract talks  —  GM Daniels doesn't want distractions during the season  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Rangers have at least six players who can become free agents after the season, but general manager Jon Daniels said this week he is reluctant to begin any talks on contract extensions.

Go 2 Guy: Mariners destined to win AL West  —  The 2006 American League West champions should forget the preseason predictions written here, those that said the Mariners would finish 73-89 and Ichiro Suzuki would not hit .300.  —  Steve Pool gets to revise his forecast, so I will too …

Palmeiro speaks … The man whose finger-wagging image may forever be the lasting snapshot of baseball's so-called steroid era hasn't paid much attention to the sport's most recent drug scandal.  —  Rafael Palmeiro spends his mornings working out, his days playing baseball with his two sons …

Guillen Says He's Really Stressed Out  —  TORONTO, June 28 — Jose Guillen considers himself one of the key offensive performers on the Washington Nationals, but his current production — a .207 average with 27 RBI after going 0 for 4 Wednesday against Toronto — isn't close to what the club needs.

Canseco back in baseball — with independent Surf Dawgs  —  Canseco back in baseball — with independent Surf Dawgs  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jose Canseco returned to baseball Thursday when he agreed to a contract with the independent San Diego Surf Dawgs, planning to be their designated hitter and — get this — pitch.

Barrett, Baker looking for peaceful series vs. Sox  —  Saying he hopes "everyone will be more mindful of controlling ourselves," Cubs catcher Michael Barrett is excited about playing again, starting Friday against the White Sox, after serving a 10-day suspension.

Analysis: Pirates' failure far-reaching at season's midpoint  —  Maybe this explains why members of the Pirates' upper management never cite specific goals for the team going into a season.  —  Even the most modest objectives can come back to bite them.  —  In the spring, owner Kevin …

Weight trainer refuses to testify in Bonds perjury investigation  —  (06-29) 16:37 PDT — Greg Anderson, the Peninsula steroid dealer who was Barry Bonds' personal weight trainer, refused to testify Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating the baseball star for perjury.

Phillies Notes |  Lieber could make his return July 7  —  Phillies Notes  —  BALTIMORE - The Phillies said there is a chance that righthander Jon Lieber could return to the rotation next week.  —  Lieber, who is on the disabled list with a strained left groin, made a rehabilitation start Tuesday with single-A Clearwater.

Rios hospitalized with leg infection  —  TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios was hospitalized Thursday and expected to remain overnight to receive treatment on a bad infection in his lower left leg.  —  Rios fouled a ball off his leg during Tuesday's 6-0 victory over the Washington Nationals.

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 …