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Small-market AL clubs keep rolling (AP)

Move over, Yankees and Red Sox. Out of the way, White Sox. A couple of small-market clubs are showing the big boys how to play. Edwin Jackson took a two-hitter into the eighth inning and Carlos Pena homered and drove in five runs Friday night, helping the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 11-2 for their fifth straight victory.

Red Sox Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The numbers were pretty gruesome for right-hander Manny Delcarmen over his last three games. The 26-year-old watched helplessly as his ERA ballooned from 3.27 to 4.72 in a matter of 1 1/3 rough innings—a stretch that saw him cough up seven hits and six runs that included a complete collapse against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

In the past, Delcarmen might have wondered about his job security or questioned how much confidence the Sox coaching staff has in his golden arm. But now he has multiple stints with the Sox under his belt at this point in his career, and his role as a seventh- and eighth-inning fireman is much more well-defined than in past auditions.

Delcarmen repaid that confidence with a key out in Boston's Friday afternoon win over...

Red Sox All-Stars set to take over Yankee Stadium (AP)

So long, Yankee Stadium. Get ready for an All-Star salute featuring the rival Boston Red Sox. That's right. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis and Co. are set to take over The House That Ruth Built. At last check, four Boston players led fan voting at their positions for the July 15 game in New York -- and that doesn't even include manager Terry Francona or any of his pitchers.

On the fence: Youkilis triples off top of wall (AP)

Yankee Stadium has a history of drama on the Fourth of July. There was Lou Gehrig's farewell speech in 1939, and Dave Righetti's no-hitter against Boston in 1983. It's George Steinbrenner's birthday, so it's always an important date to circle on New York's calendar. Kevin Youkilis made the final Fourth at the ballpark truly memorable, sparking a come-from-behind 6-4 victory for the Red Sox on Friday...

On the fence: Youkilis drive sits on wall (AP)

Kevin Youkilis' drive squirted out of the webbing of Johnny Damon's glove and bounced up off the top of the left-field wall in the third inning of Friday's game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. And bounced. And bounced. The ball came to rest on top of the fence, which was shaking from the impact of the Yankees left fielder crashing into it as he tried to make a leaping catch.

Damon calls out teammates after loss to Boston (Yahoo! Sports)

After Thursday's embarrassing loss to the Boston Red Sox , Johnny Damon called out his teammates.

Lester pitches 5-hitter, Red Sox end 5-game skid (AP)

Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox talked about everything that went right. New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi delivered a different message. After Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter and Boston stopped a five-game losing streak with a 7-0 victory Thursday night, Girardi closed the clubhouse for a 30-minute meeting.

Red Sox activate Timlin from DL, ready for Yankees (AP)

Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin returned from the disabled list Thursday, joining the Boston bullpen for the start of a four-game series against the New York Yankees. The 42-year-old righty went on the 15-day DL on June 21 because of tendinitis in his left knee. It was the fifth time in the last three years that he'd been out with an injury.

Red Sox activate RHP Timlin (PA SportsTicker)

The Boston Red Sox activated reliever Mike Timlin from the 15-day disabled list Thursday.

Inoa becomes a sign of the times (Yahoo! Sports)

The small-market Oakland A's won bidding war for 16-year-old Dominican pitcher, signaling an economic sea change.

Red Sox expected to activate Timlin for Yankees (Yahoo! Sports)

The Boston Red Sox are expected to reactivate right-handed reliever Mike Timlin today and he will be available...

Boston comes to New York with neither team in 1st place (Yahoo! Sports)

When the Boston Red Sox face the Yankees in July, one of them is usually leading the American League East, the...

Longoria's hot bat helps Rays top Red Sox (AP)

There's no secret to the success of the Tampa Bay Rays this season. Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting carried them to the top of the AL East standings. The same winning combination is keeping them there. Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs and B.J. Upton made a "Willie Mays-esque" catch in center field to help an improved bullpen hold off Boston 7-6 Wednesday night for...

Red Sox OF Drew named Player of the Month (PA SportsTicker)

Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew on Wednesday was named the American League Player of the Month for June.

Garza beats Wakefield, Rays down Red Sox again (AP)

The Tampa Bay Rays are taking a business-as-usual approach to their position atop the AL East. Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and the Rays beat Boston and nemesis Tim Wakefield 3-1 on Tuesday night to extend their lead in the division to a season-best 2 1/2 games over the second-place Red Sox.

Pass out the midterm report cards (Yahoo! Sports)

We don't grade on a curve, and that's why only the Rays get an A-plus while three teams are given Fs.

Yanks starting to believe Rays, Red Sox will be tough to catch (Yahoo! Sports)

Normally any Boston Red Sox loss is good news for the Yanks, but not this one. The New York Yankees know the Sox...

Surprising Rays beat Red Sox to stay in 1st place (AP)

No punches, no angry words exchanged. With first place on the line in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox stuck to playing baseball Monday night. James Shields scattered five hits over 6 1-3 innings and B.J. Upton and Gabe Gross homered, helping the Rays remain unbeaten at home against the Red Sox with a 5-4 victory that hiked their lead to 1 1/2 games in the division.

Will Red Sox make a trade for Sabathia? (Yahoo! Sports)

Why would the Boston Red Sox be interested in trading for C.C. Sabathia? First, because they can.

Correction: Red Sox-Astros story (AP)

In a story about the June 29 game between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Boston had won its previous nine interleague series. Boston had won its previous nine interleague road series.

A look back at June blooms, swoons (Yahoo! Sports)

Interleague action benefited the AL, Jim Edmonds benefited from Chicago, and home cooking benefited many.

Red Sox mum on report about mailed threat (AP)

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona declined comment Monday on a report the team received a mailed threat targeting black and Latin players. The Boston Herald, citing unidentified sources, reported the threat was believed to be postmarked in Memphis, Tenn., and that a suspect believed to be from Baltimore but living in the Memphis area was being sought.

Ramirez considers incident with team official over (AP)

Manny Ramirez said he patched things up with a Boston Red Sox employee he reportedly shoved to the ground during an argument, and the club said the matter is over. The Providence Journal reported Monday that Ramirez pushed traveling secretary Jack McCormick in the visitors' clubhouse Saturday in Houston after McCormick told Ramirez that he might not be able to come up with the 16 tickets the...

Red Sox DH Ortiz won't play in All-Star game (AP)

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz plans to attend next month's All-Star game, but won't play due to his injured left wrist. Ortiz will likely win the fan vote to be the starting AL DH. He has a partial tear of the sheath that surrounds his tendon, which occurred while swinging during a game against Baltimore on May 31.

Report: Ramirez has incident with Red Sox official (PA SportsTicker)

The Boston Red Sox refused to comment Monday on a report that outfielder Manny Ramirez shoved a team official to the ground over the weekend.