Much of his abbreviated season, Mark Ellis has hit into hard luck. Balls have just barely gone foul, they’ve just missed going out. On Sunday, though, Ellis drilled a line drive that cleared the left-field fence by a foot or two, getting out of the Coliseum…

, Minn. - Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, won twice early this season, raising expectations he might contend for another major title. Ogilvy did not finish in the top 10 in any of the game’s four biggest tournaments in 2009, punctuated by his…

- Though the Giants’ run of six losses in nine games has not destroyed their playoff chances, it has highlighted the vulnerabilities that make it hard to pick them. Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Mets might have been the most instructive of all. Two troubling…

Minn. - Y.E. Yang waded in rewards for his impressive display Sunday, beyond the $1.35 million headed into his bank account. He also gained everlasting renown as the first Asian player to win a men’s major and the first player, period, to chase down Tiger…

Minn. - Two days earlier, Padraig Harrington half-heartedly insisted Tiger Woods could not always protect the lead at a major championship. He had to lose eventually, right? Harrington heard his own words and hesitated, pointing out Woods might be 60 years…

Signing deadline: This is the final day the A’s can sign first-round pick Grant Green, third-rounder Max Stassi and seventh-rounder Ian Krol. Assistant GM David Forst said, “the deadline will impart some urgency for both sides. … We’re optimistic.”…

Justin Duchscherer once again is unavailable with “a non-baseball related issue,” according to the A’s, so Brett Tomko will make his Oakland debut tonight. Tomko, a 13-year veteran, will have some extra incentive: He’s coming up to face the Yankees, the team…

Kerri Walsh lost in the fourth round at the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open. The two-time gold medalist and partner Rachel Wacholder, seeded third, lost to Jen Kessy and April Ross 21-14, 21-18, but will play a match this morning for a chance at the…

White Sox 3rd: With one out, Ramirez walked. Nix homered to left, Ramirez scored. White Sox 2, A’s 0 White Sox 4th: With one out, Pierzynski singled to center. Quentin singled to right, Pierzynski to third. On Sweeney’s error, Quentin to second. Ramirez…