Ortiz's Red Sox HR chase has Maryland connection … In 2004, the Boston Red Sox's World Series victory ended the "Curse of the Bambino," ushering the sour memory of Baltimore-born legend Babe Ruth out the door.  —  This month, another one of Maryland's favorite baseball sons likely …

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  The San Diego Padres look to take over first place in the NL West when they send Chris Young to the mound to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.  —  San Diego (77-70) evened the four-game series at a game apiece by routing Los Angeles (78-70) 11-2 on Saturday.

It's mind-boggling  —  Pedro trying to get his head together after brutal effort in return  —  PITTSBURGH - The day after his upsetting return at PNC Park, Pedro Martinez reported no physical fallout from the ugly three-inning stint against the Pirates.  —  His right calf …

Coming of age: It's time for a progress report  —  On Monday and Tuesday, the Rockies owners and assorted decision-makers will gather for their organizational meetings at Coors Field.  The 2007 payroll will be established, with no windfall expected despite a slight bump in attendance.

Soriano fourth in history to reach 40-40  —  Outfielder's steal of second against Brewers secures milestone  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano became the fourth player in Major League history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season with his steal …

Cubs' Lee done for season  —  Veteran to miss final 13 games to take care of ailing daughter  —  CHICAGO — A tearful Derrek Lee said he will not play for the rest of the season with the Chicago Cubs so he can be with his 3-year-old daughter, Jada, who has lost vision in one eye.

Bonds won't be honored  —  MLB does not plan to recognize Giants slugger when he breaks Aaron's NL home run record  —  Giants notes  —  ST. LOUIS — Major League Baseball has no plans to recognize Barry Bonds when he hits his next two home runs to tie and break Hank Aaron's National League record of 733.

Wild, wild West  —  As Padres, Dodgers swing for playoffs, revived Barry creates Giant dilemma  —  As the regular season winds down without suspense in this town, Barry Bonds, Ryan Howard, the Francisco Liriano-less Minnesota Twins and the San Diego Padres are all ratcheting it up for ... the Big Finish.

Ojeda re-adjusts to big leagues  —  ARLINGTON - Miguel Ojeda, for whom the Rangers traded in July and called up two weeks ago, is working every day and looking for his chance to break into the starting lineup.  —  But with Hurricane Lane on top of Mexico's Pacific coast …

Slugger hits No. 57, but 10-year-old turns it into a double  —  HOUSTON - What is it about left field at Minute Maid Park that keeps making people sick?  —  First Jeff Conine.  Now Brandon Hilgedick.  —  You know who Conine is, but you didn't know who Brandon Hilgedick was until …

Fan's insults crude but legal  —  Cincinnati - Cleveland Indians fans have a right to heckle ballplayers from Jacobs Field's bleachers as long as they are not drunk or too rowdy, a federal appeals court ruled.  —  The 2-1 ruling Friday was a victory for Lakewood's Jeffrey Swiecicki, 34 …

Taking Their Swings at What's a Pivotal Count  —  Alex Rodriguez says it's 1-1.  Johan Santana believes it's 0-0.  Ryan Howard claims it's 2-0, and no one is challenging Howard much these days.  —  Talk to major leaguers about which is the most pivotal count, the ball-and-strike state …