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Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Twins had never had a four-day All-Star break before. Now they think everyone should have them.

"If one team gets it, everyone should. Or it should be (awarded) in a pretty well-organized rotation," said relief pitcher Joe Nathan. "It's a pretty good break. I wouldn't have had a true day off without the extra day."

Major league schedules have included four-day breaks for the past few seasons, but this year was the Twins' first. The extra day has been doled out unevenly, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland last week criticized Major League Baseball because Detroit—which resumed its season Thursday in Baltimore—has never had a four-day break, while eight teams have had them three years in a row.

"I think it should be all (the teams)," Twins manager Ron...

Red Sox have little reason to sag (Yahoo! Sports)

Shrugging off Manny Ramirez's latest issues and anticipating David Ortiz's return, Boston is primed for a strong second half.

Twins shut out mighty Rangers offense (AP)

The mighty Texas offense rolled into Friday night's game against Minnesota with one player on a 25-game hitting streak and another coming off a jaw-dropping 28-dinger round in the Home Run Derby. It's no wonder Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton and the rest of these Rangers are the only team left in the majors not to be shutout.

Players union to investigate Twins (PA SportsTicker)

Francisco Liriano has dominated in the minor leagues, yet hasn't been called up to join the Minnesota Twins. Liriano's agent has pressed the players' union to find out why.

Liriano's agent calls for union investigation (AP)

After watching his client dominate Triple-A hitters for the past month, the agent for Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano wants to know why the Twins have not called him up to the big leagues. Greg Genske has asked the players' union to investigate why Liriano remains in Rochester despite going 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA in his past nine starts.

Pertinent post-All-Star break issues (Yahoo! Sports)

Questions for each team come to mind two at a time as the season enters its second half.

Orioles still have plenty of trade chips to offer (Yahoo! Sports)

The Baltimore Orioles ' roster still includes several other trade chips, many of whom have posted strong first...

Morneau makes lasting impression (PA SportsTicker)

Justin Morneau certainly made the most of his invitation to this year's All-Star Game.

Morneau adds Canadian flavor to All-Star festivities (PA SportsTicker)

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - Aside from the requisite American representation that the national pastime always provides, a distinct Latin flavor permeates the festivities in New York this week, with a small Japanese contingent throw in to the mix.

Verlander throws 7 innings to lead Detroit to win (AP)

Justin Verlander knew it was a big game, and he wasn't about to let his teammates down. Verlander tossed seven sharp innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Sunday, denying their AL Central rivals a four-game sweep in the final series before the All-Star break. "My intention was to go out there and get us a win going into the break, and I was able to do that," said Verlander,...

Harris, Mauer power Twins past Tigers, 6-5 (AP)

Brendan Harris has been swinging like a middle-of-the-order slugger over the last month. A last-minute position change was hardly enough to sway him from his routine. Harris went 3-for-3, homered and drove in a season-best four runs Saturday to help the Twins beat Detroit for the third straight day, 6-5.

Twins SS Punto scratched (PA SportsTicker)

Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Punto was scratched from the starting lineup of Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers with a strained left ring finger.

Tampa Bay turnaround highlights 'crazy' first half (AP)

Tampa Bay is on top, the Chicago Cubs keep winning and Major League Baseball might add instant replay before the summer's over. What in the name of Babe Ruth is going on with this grand ol' game? Conventions are getting shattered everywhere, just like those thin-handled maple bats. Indeed, it's been a wild first half for the national pastime: one no-hitter, three fired managers and Ken Griffey Jr.'s...

Punto, bullpen lift Twins past Tigers, 3-2 (AP)

The Twins hoped they didn't have to use Matt Guerrier and his bullpen mates after a long outing the previous night. They hardly showed any sign of fatigue. Guerrier, Jesse Crain and closer Joe Nathan retired the last seven Detroit batters Friday night to help Minnesota win its second straight against the Tigers, 3-2.

Morneau's 5 hits help Twins beat Tigers 7-6 (AP)

Justin Morneau narrowly missed one homer on Thursday afternoon. He took advantage of a second chance. Three innings after hitting a 425-foot double to the deepest part of Comerica Park, Morneau lined an 11th-inning homer off Freddy Dolsi (1-3) with one out into the right-field stands to give the Minnesota Twins a 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Triple play that wasn't turns into 7-run inning (AP)

The triple play that wasn't would have been just what the Twins needed to get out of trouble. When the outs all disappeared, so did Minnesota's chances of avoiding a sweep in Boston. Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run double as the Red Sox scored seven times in the seventh inning -- all of them after a triple play was taken off the board -- and Boston beat Minnesota 18-5 on Wednesday to complete a...

Gardenhire ejected after triple play that wasn't (AP)

The Minnesota Twins lost a triple play -- and their manager -- after umpires changed a call during Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. When Jason Varitek's sinking liner dropped in front of sliding center fielder Denard Span, the umpires originally ruled that he made the catch. Span threw to second to double off Sean Casey, then second baseman Alexi Casilla threw to third to get Mike...

Twins manager Gardenhire ejected (PA SportsTicker)

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the seventh inning of Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox.

Ramirez, Moss lead Red Sox over Twins (AP)

After a difficult series against Boston's rival, Manny Ramirez has responded with a game-winning hit and a game-tying home run on back-to-back nights against the Minnesota Twins. Ramirez hit a two-run homer as part of a four-run eighth inning rally to help the Boston Red Sox edge the Twins 6-5 on Tuesday night.

Ramirez's RBI single gives Red Sox 1-0 win (AP)

Daisuke Matsuzaka's outstanding pitching and the familiar look of Fenway Park were just what the Boston Red Sox needed coming home from a horrendous road trip. Manny Ramirez hit a run-scoring single in the eighth to lift Boston to a 1-0 win over Minnesota in a splendid pitching matchup between Matsuzaka and the Twins' Scott Baker on Monday night.

Baseball Power Poll: Rays, Red Sox start series in top 3 (SportingNews.com)

Ryan Fagan takes over for Sean Deveney as the official purveyor of the week that was in baseball. He gives you his weekly rankings every Monday morning.

Baseball power poll: Red Sox need bullpen help, not more power (SportingNews.com)

Every week Sean Deveney ranks every team in the majors.

Baseball power poll: Angels' Rodriguez may make history (SportingNews.com)

In one of his last go-rounds with the power poll, Sean Deveney pays heed to Francisco Rodriguez's sweet half-season ... and the immortal MC Hammer.

Confrontation leads to success for Matt Garza (SportingNews.com)

Rays pitcher Matt Garza can look back upon a June 8 confrontation with a teammate as the turning point of his season.

Twins rally against Lee, win 4-3 over Indians (AP)

Cliff Lee was cruising, and the Cleveland Indians were on the verge of a much-needed victory. Then came the seventh inning, and a sign of just how fragile the defending AL Central champions currently are. The Twins took full advantage, using a handful of walks and well-placed singles to send the Indians to their eighth straight loss Sunday.