Yanks achieve new record

According to STATS, Alex Rodriguez's two-run shot off the Red Sox's Jon Lester on Friday was the Yankees' 127th homer at home this season, breaking their previous record which was made at Yankee Stadium in both 2004 and 2005.

Five home games remain for the Yankees this season, two games against the Red Sox and three against the Royals. The Yankees are also in reach of their all-time club record of 242 home runs, which also set in 2004. Rodriguez, who has missed five weeks recovering from right hip surgery earlier this season, ranks second on the Yankees with 28 home runs, 18 of them at home. Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter have combined to hit 29 of their 41 homers at Yankee Stadium.

Fleury is released from tryout agreement

Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today that Theoren Fleury has been released from his try-out agreement. "I believe Theoren did a great job and should be proud, especially considering all the factors including age, time away from the game and lifestyle change," said Sutter.

"I am very thankful to Darryl and the Flames organization for following through on the commitment to provide me with this opportunity," said Fleury. "I said in the beginning that no matter what the outcome, this would be a success story. I intend to take the next few days to review this experience and make decisions with my family regarding next steps in my life." Flames training camp will continue at the Pengrowth Saddledome this weekend. Now 27 players remain on the training camp roster.

Villalona pleads innocent to murder charge

Villalona appeared in a La Romana courtroom on Monday, because he was charged with murder in the weekend, shooting death at a bar in his Dominican Republic hometown. However, Villalona told the judge he was innocent to the charge of shooting 25-year-old Mario Felix de Jesus Velete. Judge Aranibal Manzano Zapata decided to put the 19-year-old first baseman in jail for two months as authorities prepare the case.

The Giants refused to give any comment on Villalona's case. On Sunday the club stated that it was disappointed that Villalona was considered as a suspect in the shooting. Giants manager Bruce Bochy had not heard any developments of Villalona's status when he was asked in Chase Field before the opening game against the D-backs.

Villalona had turned himself in to police within 12 hours after the bar shooting, but he declined to speak to media at the hearing. He record $2.1 million bonus when signed Giants in 2006, and he was part of the World Team in the 2008 Futures Game in Yankee Stadium. When will he show up on the field again with the Giants jersey? If he overcomes these difficulties, he will be a real "Giant".

Lopez leads Mariners to win

Jose Lopez hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, leading Seattle past Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. Mariners reliever Shawn Kelley replaced starter Ryan and allowed an RBI single by B.J. Upton, but avoided more damage.

Smith pitched well but was worn down by patient Tampa Bay hitting, allowing four walks and six hits in five-plus innings. He also allowed three earned runs, marking his sixth consecutive start. Seattle's offense couldn't get too much going against Rays starter Jeff Niemann, who allowed four hits and three runs.

Chris Volstad will return to Marlins

Right-hander Chris Volstad threw a 50-pitch on Saturday, and then manager Fredi Gonzalez declared that he is ready to return to the field. "It went well," Gonzalez said. "He'll go back into the bullpen. We won't use him Sunday, and then Monday is an off-day. On Tuesday, we can use him."

Saturday's simulated game obviously convinced Gonzalez that Volstad is back truely. However, the Marlins won't need him until Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies. "That's why we did it today," Gonzalez said. "We felt like we could get through these next two games without him having to pitch."

Mark Teahen rejoins Royals

The outfielder Mark Teahen rejoined the Royals after traveling to Kansas City for an evaluation of lower back tightness. He wasn't in the starting lineup against the Tigers last week. "It was just muscle spasms, so it was a positive report for us," manager Trey Hillman said. "He's available, but he's going to stay inside and do some work today. We've got him available for the game if we need him."

He left the club before Sunday at Cleveland. "It just kind of tightened up on me before that Saturday game when I was taking ground balls like normal,"Teahen said. "So I just went and made sure there was nothing crazy wrong with it, which there wasn't. I've had issues with my back in the past and it's something I've just got to continually stay on, I'm available. I'm sure we'll try to be smart with it, but I can do more or less whatever."

The Trial of Adenhart death will be delayed

It is possible that the trial of the man responsible for the death of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart will be delayed several months after a new defense attorney was appointed. Prosecutors hoped to advance before a jury this year, but the private attorney fot Gallo quit the case.

Gallo was appointed an public defender on Monday and is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the April crash which killed Adenhart. Authorities say that Gallo was drunk when he drove his minivan through a red light in Fullerton, California on April 9, killing the rookie who had overcome the elbow surgery and begun his pitching life in the big leagues. Regrettablely we may not see him playing on the field in his baseball jersey forever. Gallo will likely stay in prison for nearly 55 years.

A's Tomko is sent to shelf

After picking up his 100th career victory with a five-hit shutout against the Rangers, A's right-hander Brett Tomko appeared in the visitors' club before batting practice on Tuesday. Some people assumed that perhaps he was using the prop as an excuse for appearing a bit late. In fact Tomko woke up with discomfort in his arm, and then got checked by a local doctor who discovered he has a pinched nerve. "He'll be out for a while," A's manager Bob Geren said.

Tomko is absolutely out of the game for Sunday in Oakland against the Indians. Geren said Dana Eveland is an option to replace Tomko. Tomko joined in the A's in August.

Battle for Coyotes continues

The NHL made its case for keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix for the upcoming season in United States bankruptcy court.The hearing before Judge Redfield T. Baum postponed without a decision on whether Jim Balsillie, the Research in Motion executive, could take part in an auction for the Coyotes. There was no immediate news on when the judge will rule on the issues. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly were both in attendance in the court.

Balsillie's camp told Baum it would even be willing to move the club during the season. "You want to talk about disruption of families and players and the fan base," League attorney Shepard Goldfein said. "I don't think that's ever happened. I'm not aware it's ever happened."

Bruce may not come back to Reds

Although Jay Bruce had three hits for Triple-A Louisville last week, Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker is not definitely sure that Bruce is going to join the Reds' lineup again. After breaking his right wrist in New York, Bruce missed two months playing. The outfielder will rejoin the team in Colorado during a four-game series.

Before Bruce was injured, he had suffered a difficult season. He had 18 homers and 41 Run Batted Ins in 83 games, but his batting was just 207. The catcher Ryan Hanigan had three hits and scored twice that day and was 5-for-12 with a double in his first three games. Now Hanigan is eligible to come off the disabled list several days ago, so is Burce.

Chase Utley is back in lineup

Chase Utley was back in the Phillies' lineup last Sunday after missing Saturday's game because of his broken right foot. Now fans can wear the utley jersey supporing him in the match. Shane Victorino was also out of the game at Minute Maid Park because of his broken left knee. Victorino has been suffering a lot this season, and the pain aggravated during the game against the D-backs. He left Saturday's game after flying out to right field.

"He's been playing, but at the same time it keeps hurting him. Evidently he's have a hard time keeping his backside down."said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. It is reported that the Phillies recalled outfielder John Mayberry Jr. and right-hander Kyle Kendrick on that day. Both of them joined the team in order to play in the final two games against the Astros.

Ducks term with veteran defenseman Eminger

It is reported that veteran defenseman Steve Eminger has agreed to a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks. He was selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He spent five seasons with the Capitals collecting five goals and 26 points in 71 games. "Being only 25 years old, we expect him to continue improving as a player and make a solid contribution this season."said Ducks Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray.

Totally Eminger has 11 goals and 69 points in 283 regular-season games. He also scored a goal for the Capitals during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. "He's a guy everyone likes and a good player. Any time you have a chance to get a defenseman that's 25 and has played 300 games, you try to get them," said Ducks Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations David McNab.

Center fielder Nyjer Morgan was injured when stealing third base

It is reported that the Nationals' center fielder Nyjer Morgan has lost for the season because of his broken left hand. During the game aganist Cubs, Morgan got his hand hurt when sliding into third base. He will fly to Baltimore on Friday to see a specialist to check his situation carefully.

"I'm happy for the opportunity to play, but not happy to see my teammate get hurt," Harris said. "Nyjer was having one hell of a season. He was our sparkplug. He came over here and we started to play better. You hate to see anyone get hurt." Morgan, being acquired from the Pirates on June 30, was a major force in the leadoff spot. In fact, Morgan was the one who cheered the team up in the first inning against the Cubs. The Nationals have not decided who will replace Morgan on the roster.