Manny did the time, but what about the crime?  —  In first game back from drug suspension, Ramirez is the celebrated straw that stirs the drink, with fans and teammates welcoming him with open arms, no questions asked.  —  From San Diego — Manny Ramirez was released from the substance slammer Friday …

Phillies designate Taschner for assignment  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have purchased the contract of right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and cleared a roster spot by designating reliever Jack Taschner for assignment.  —  Lopez, a two-time 15-game winner with Baltimore …

Rafael Palmeiro continues to deny knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs  —  Rafael Palmeiro spent some time reflecting before he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday.  —  Palmeiro's legacy shifted in the summer of 2005.

Conrad makes presence felt with Braves  —  Called up from Minors, delivers game-winning homer  —  WASHINGTON — Brooks Conrad was ready to take his first at-bat in the top of the second inning of the Gwinett Braves' game Thursday, when manager Dave Brundage asked the infielder if he still wanted to hit.

BoSox in talks with coveted Cuban SS … The Red Sox are in serious discussions with Cuban shortstop whiz Jose Iglesias, according to a league source.  —  If finalized, the contract is expected to be for about $8 million, perhaps a little bit more than that, according to people familiar with the talks.

Lawyer Says 2003 Clemens Drug Test Was Negative  —  In recent months, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa have been linked to the list of 100 or so players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, the first season such tests were conducted by Major League Baseball.

It's so wrong to celebrate Manny's return  —  Widespread love for Ramirez upon his being back in Dodgers' lineup a puzzling thing  —  That dreadlocked bon vivant, Manny Ramirez, will rejoin us — and the Dodgers — this weekend after eight weeks of purgatory on Planet Manny.  Whoop-de-doo.

Johnson's 11th-inning double lifts Mariners over Red Sox  —  BOSTON (AP) — Rob Johnson doubled home two runs in the 11th inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night.  —  George Kottaras hit his first major-league homer in the bottom of the 11th for the Red Sox …

Three runs in 16th give Tigers victory over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night.  —  Polanco drove in a run in the top …

Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 0  —  DENVER (AP) — Jorge De La Rosa pitched eight innings, Ian Stewart hit a solo homer and the Colorado Rockies beat the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 on Friday night.  —  The Rockies have won a season-best six straight at Coors Field, and moved …

Wright Hears an Apology From Franco for Criticism  —  PHILADELPHIA — David Wright landed in Philadelphia on Thursday night and saw that while he was in the air on the Mets' charter flight, he had received a message.  Upon checking his voice mail, he heard an apology from John Franco.

Pujols hits club-record fourth slam in Cards' win  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Friday night.

Orioles get to Ervin Santana in his return  —  He strikes out five, but Baltimore hitters get to him early in a 6-4 win.  —  Ervin Santana's mandate Friday night was straightforward in the eyes of Angels Manager Mike Scioscia.  —  “We want him to go as hard as he can for as long as he can …

Star Cuban pitcher defects; Yankees interested? … A highly regarded Cuban pitching prospect has defected from the national team while playing in a tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  His next stop could be in the major leagues, possibly with the New York Yankees.