Wishing for a Mercy Rule  —  The Twins now lead the White Sox 18-8 in the bottom of the seventh.  For every run the White Sox get in an attempt to come back, the Twins seem to score two.  It's been a sloppy game on top of that, with the White making four overt errors and a number of bad plays in the field.

Pirates' McClatchy to step down as CEO later this year  —  Kevin McClatchy will step down as the Pirates' chief executive officer after the current baseball season, the team announced today, and the search for his replacement will begin immediately.  —  Mr. McClatchy, 44 …

Neifi Perez suspended for banned stimulant  —  Tigers infielder first to be penalized under program  —  DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended 25 games Friday, the first player penalized for testing positive for a stimulant under Major League Baseball's drug program.

Jeter's leadership, Bay's slump  —  Special to FOXSports.com, Updated 3 hours ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Playing nine innings while waiting for Rafael Betancourt to throw the freakin' ball already . . .  1. Jeter as a leader  —  The Yankees, 40-42 and slumbering toward second-half irrelevance …

Thames' slam helps Tigers rout BoSox 9-2  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers dominated the Red Sox 9-2 Friday night in the opener of the three-game series that is Boston's only scheduled visit to the Motor City this year.  —  All-Star shortstop Carlos Guillen won't be surprised if the Red Sox …

Penny might be limited in All-Star game  —  He's a possible starter in the contest at San Francisco, but team doesn't want blister on index finger aggravated.  —  Brad Penny's participation in Tuesday's All-Star game could be limited by the blister the pitcher developed on his right index finger …

Wells powers Blue Jays over Indians 8-6  —  TORONTO (AP) — Vernon Wells homered and drove in three runs, Roy Halladay remained unbeaten against Cleveland, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Indians 8-6 on Friday night.  —  Wells went 2-for-4 and was intentionally walked in the fifth.

Pence enjoying sensational rookie season with Astros  —  The outfielder has been so incredible that observers as diverse as young female fans and an old-school manager are gushing with admiration  —  As Hunter Pence returned from batting practice Thursday afternoon, a host of media surrounded …

Talking A Good Game  —  Hall of Famers Gwynn, Ripken huddle on hitting  —  Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn combined to play 5,441 regular season major-league games, none of which involved the two of them playing against one another.  Their lives and baseball careers ran parallel tracks all the way to Cooperstown.

Guerrero, Ordonez join Derby field  —  Six sluggers set for Monday night's event in San Francisco  —  Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit's Magglio Ordonez have joined the field for the State Farm Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball officials confirmed Friday.

Baseball prepares to celebrate, as it should  —  Despite lingering steroid issue, game is alive and well ahead of All-Star bash  —  SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Steroids, labor disputes, the dilution of talent, a deep divide between the haves and the have-nots: Major League Baseball …

Angels could use another big bat  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Imagine Ken Griffey Jr. batting behind Vladimir Guerrero.  The Angels would be transformed from World Series contender to World Series favorite.  —  Any legitimate slugger would fit nicely behind Guerrero, but Griffey is the most romantic possibility.

Under The Knife  —  Deep in the Heart  —  I'm making my annual trip to Newberg Night at ... well, what is the Rangers stadium called these days?  (You know, with the All-Star Game in the telcom stadium nom du jour, the commoditization of naming rights is becoming bothersome for reasons of consistency rather than anticommericalism.)

Pirates Notebook: Chacon seeks contract extension  —  Reliever Shawn Chacon, the only significant player on the Pirates' roster who can become a free agent this winter, has approached management to initiate talks toward a contract extension.  —  "My focus is on this team, and I'd love to be a part of it," Chacon said.

One year later, Marlins pitchers ailing  —  SAN DIEGO — Though the Marlins aren't sure how long they will be without Josh Johnson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the pitcher was told is a strained right forearm, this much is certain: The season has gone nothing like last year for the team's young rotation.