Roger Clemens, on Mike and Mike in the Morning, bashes book, holds firm to denials of drug use … Roger Clemens ended his long media silence Tuesday on ESPN Radio's “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” sticking to his story that he has never used performance-enhancing drugs and calling excerpts …

Manny Ramirez's prescription for suspension  —  Dodgers slugger had not obtained a therapeutic-use exemption for HGC, so he dropped his appeal of the 50-game ban.  —  Manny Ramirez abruptly dropped an appeal of his drug suspension within hours of a scheduled hearing last week …

Braves 8, Mets 3: Anyone want to pitch in for Johan?  —  Unbelievably, for the second time this season, Johan Santana did not allow an earned run and lost as the Braves beat the Mets, 8-3, Monday night.  The other time came in Florida in Game 6, when Daniel Murphy's drop of a Cody Ross fly ball led to two unearned runs in a 2-1 loss.

Saunders: A-Rod never again an All-Star  —  Halos lefty says Yanks slugger stained by using steroids  —  As Alex Rodriguez worked his way back to the Majors following surgery on his right hip, and finally arrived, the Yankees third baseman received mostly encouragement and sympathy from his peers.

CASHMAN'S STUCK WITH UGLY BULLPEN  —  TORONTO — The calendar is the Yankees' biggest enemy when it comes to any attempt to upgrade their awful bullpen.  —  “This time of the year forces you to stay with what you have,” general manager Brian Cashman said.  “That doesn't mean I won't be proactive, no doubt.”

Bidder Up: Yankees and City Reach Deal to Sell Stadium Memorabilia  —  A brick is a brick is a brick, unless it came from Monument Park at the old Yankee Stadium.  That is the pitch the Yankees are going to make to their fans when they start auctioning off every removable scrap from their old home in the Bronx.

Marlins reliever Scott Proctor out for season after ‘Tommy John’ surgery  —  Expected to fill big role in Marlins bullpen, pitcher instead to miss entire season  —  MILWAUKEE - Florida Marlins right-hander Scott Proctor received the worst possible news Tuesday during his consultation with Dr. James Andrews.

Uehara's outing spoiled in O's loss  —  Righty saddled with no-decision after 'pen gives up lead  —  BALTIMORE — They just can't close them out.  —  The Orioles continued to struggle in series finales Sunday, when they got an impeccable outing from their starting pitcher and an early home run from their cleanup hitter.

Raissman: With A-Rod, YES avoids 'roid talk  —  There was this notion Friday night, running right through the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network telecast, that Alex Rodriguez's return to pinstripes was a feel-good story, a triumph of a man, and his spirit, coming all the way back from something.

This Column Must Register With The Local Authorities  —  This is a weekly column from Leitch.  —  It has words, and pictures.  It's called Ten Humans Of The Week.  —  As some of you might know, I write a regular column for Sporting News magazine (they dropped the “The” because definite articles are unhip).

What's Said, And What's Unsaid  —  Sometimes, it's best to keep the nuances of media-player interaction away from this forum.  For two reasons.  In most cases, nobody really cares.  In a few cases, nobody really benefits, especially if it sounds like you're airing grievances.

Milledge breaks finger in Minors  —  Outfielder batting .256 for Nats' Triple-A team  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Outfielder Lastings Milledge suffered a broken finger Monday while attempting to bunt in a game for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.  —  According to Nationals acting general manager Mike Rizzo …

Pavano tames White Sox as Indians offense comes to life  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Carl Pavano threw strikes and his Cleveland Indians teammates struck quickly at the plate.  —  Pavano won his third straight start and the Indians scored in the first inning for the first time this month …