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 …

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.

Cardinals pay tribute to Sutter  —  Hall of Famer's number retired before sellout crowd  —  ST. LOUIS — In a fitting scene for a man who took the ball under any and all circumstances, the Cardinals honored Bruce Sutter on Sunday.  The ceremony took place despite persistent rain …

Isringhausen to miss rest of season  —  Cardinals closer to undergo surgery for nagging hip injury  —  ST. LOUIS — What was feared, and then expected, is now confirmed for the Cardinals.  Jason Isringhausen will not pitch again this year, as a result of injuries to his left hip.

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.

HOLD THE ZITO  —  YANKS, METS NOT INTERESTED IN A'S LEFTY  —  DON'T believe the hype, the speculation or the gossip.  The Yankees and Mets have almost no interest in pursuing Barry Zito as a free agent.  —  The buzz all year has been that Zito will gravitate to a coast.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.