ESPN.com says that the Seattle Mariners have stopped talking to The News Tribune.

On Monday, Larry Larue of The News Tribune reported that two Seattle Mariners players told him that Ken Griffey Jr. was unavailable to pinch hit on Saturday because he was asleep in the clubhouse. Griffey has since denied that he was asleep. He has insisted that he was ready to pinch hit.

Tuesday night’s winning pitcher Cliff Lee started to address the media but did not continue until the reporter from The News Tribune left. Other players followed suit with the reporters at their lockers.

The team has since called a meeting where Mike Sweeney challenged those who spoke out to Larue to a fight.