Boss Jr.: Yanks can win crown

Hal Steinbrenner was direct and to the point, much as his famous father always was.

"I think we've got a championship-caliber team," he said. "I absolutely believe that we have the team that can win the championship."

Making his first extensive public comments about the New York Yankees since opening day, the new controlling owner praised his players, manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman. And, already, he's looking ahead to Aug. 6-9, when the Red Sox come to Yankee Stadium.

"That four-game series is going to be a big one," he said. "But the guys believe they can beat anybody, and that has not changed, and that's an important thing."

Boston, which entered Monday with a one-game AL East lead over second-place New York, is 8-0 against the Yankees this year, the best Red Sox start to a season against their rival since winning the first 14 meetings against the Highlanders in 1912.

•Chien-Ming Wang had a setback in his recovery from a strained right shoulder, making it unlikely he will return anytime soon. Wang's biceps felt tender when he played catch before Monday night's game and won't attempt to throw again until Friday.

ATHLETICS: Struggling slugger Jason Giambi was placed on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

DODGERS: Manny Ramirez moved past Mickey Mantle and into 15th place on the career home run list Monday night, hitting a two-run shot off Cincinnati's Micah Owings for the 537th of his career.

PHILLIES: Pedro Martinez is moving closer to getting back on the mound. The 37-year-old, who last week signed a one-year, $1 million contract, is on the 15-day DL because of a shoulder strain. Martinez was medically cleared to pitch in a simulated game today.

RANGERS: Closer Frank Francisco, who has already been on the disabled list twice for injuries, was put on the 15-day DL because of a mild case of pneumonia.

REDS: Catcher Ramon Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday to treat a knee injury. Hernandez will have surgery to clean out his left knee today and is expected to be sidelined six weeks.

WHITE SOX: Outfielder Carlos Quentin was activated from the disabled list Monday after missing nearly two months because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.