Santana’s efforts not being rewarded
Santana’s efforts not being rewarded With the game still on the line heading into the ninth inning on Friday, Johan Santana was told he was finished. No more pitches, no trying to be a hero. After 95 pitches, holding the first-place Phillies to two runs, manager Jerry Manuel determined that Santana had done his job through eight.

A’s back Blanton, best White Sox
A’s back Blanton, best White Sox Joe Blanton had what manager Bob Geren called “his best performance” of the season, which combined with 17 hits from the offense powered the Athletics to a 7-1 victory over the White Sox on Friday night.

Lincecum, Aurilia lift Giants over Cubs

Lincecum increased his National League-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight Ks in six innings and also singled in a run and scored from first, helping the San Francisco Giants salvage a four-game split …

Ninth-inning nightmare

PHOENIX - As Conor Jackson’s two-run single bounced through Milwaukee’s drawn-in infield, the Arizona Diamondbacks poured out of their dugout as if they had won a title.

Pujols becomes 5th youngest to hit 300th HR

Surprised by A-Rod? Then you haven’t been watching
He’s gone from Seattle to Texas to NYC, and from the Mystery Blonde to Madonna. If you’re still surprised, Kevin Hench isn’t sure why.

Dodgers join Brewers in pursuit of Sabathia
The Brewers aren’t the only team pushing hard for Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia. The Dodgers also are heavily in the mix, according to major-league sources.

NL Hot Corner: Colorado’s rocky start
Help is on the way for somebody’s bullpen. Ken Rosenthal has a list of teams Brian Fuentes could help later this month.

Reyes plates three in six-run third, Mets trounce Cardinals

Mike Pelfrey could get used to this kind of run support. Jose Reyes’ bases-clearing triple keyed a six-run third inning that included Pelfrey’s first-career RBI and the New York Mets routed the St.

Hardy continues homer barrage as Brewers roll

Barrett to DL with facial fractures
Barrett to DL with facial fractures Catcher Michael Barrett will miss a minimum of six weeks after suffering multiple facial fractures, including the orbital bone above his right eye, on Wednesday when he fouled a ball off his face in Colorado.

Reds lose Hopper for season
Reds lose Hopper for season Norris Hopper will undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Comedian Rock pays Rays a visit
Comedian Rock pays Rays a visit Comedian Chris Rock, who had a show at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on Thursday, sat in the owner’s box as a guest of the Rays.

O’s bats get revenge vs. Rangers
O’s bats get revenge vs. Rangers The Orioles earned a small measure of revenge against the Rangers on Friday, courtesy of an 10-4 victory that was all but decided by the fourth inning.

Over the last 18 games, Minnesota Twins starters are 12-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 118 innings while the team has won 15 times.

Lester blanks Yanks with five-hitter
Lester blanks Yanks with five-hitter Jon Lester was masterful on Thursday night, pitching the first shutout by a Red Sox lefty at Yankee Stadium since 1973 as Boston rolled to a 7-0 win in the first of four games.

Konerko ready for rehab assignment
Konerko ready for rehab assignment The time has come for Paul Konerko to return to Triple-A Charlotte. The captain figures to have a brief stay with the Knights if everything checks out physically during his Minor League action.

Deadline: Are you in or out? | Trade Blog

Alou in New York, but return delayed
Alou in New York, but return delayed Moises Alou traveled to New York on Wednesday in order to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Friday, but his return to action has been delayed.

PHOENIX - As Conor Jackson’s two-run single bounced through Milwaukee’s drawn-in infield, the Arizona Diamondbacks poured out of their dugout as if they had won a title.

Kuroda set to return for Dodgers’ latest tilt with Astros

Few teams have suffered more injuries this season than the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club gets one player back tonight, with more coming on the horizon, when it resumes a four-game series with the Houston Astros …

Reds send Thompson to hill versus Pirates

Right-hander Daryl Thompson makes the third start of his major-league career tonight when the Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third and final game of the three-game National League Central …

Cameron’s 9th inning single lifts Brewers

Mike Cameron singled home Russell Branyan with one out in the top of the ninth to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday night.

Lincecum, Aurilia lift Giants over Cubs

Lincecum increased his National League-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight Ks in six innings and also singled in a run and scored from first, helping the San Francisco Giants salvage a four-game split …

Phillies try to get brooms out in Atlanta

Atlanta’s solid play at home this year hasn’t carried over when Philadelphia comes to town.

Braves could soon face decision on Teixeira

The Atlanta Braves may soon face a difficult decision with Mark Teixeira, the team’s cleanup hitter and possible free agent.

Fear one, fear all … NL West might boast a .500 champion

For the next day or so, America will be paralytic with fear that, yet again, the game would be besmirched by the notion that a team would win its division without winning at least half its games.

Mets-Cardinals Preview

Louis Cardinals . The third baseman will try to continue his hot hitting on Thursday as the Cardinals attempt to take a four-game set from the New York Mets .

Baseball: Giants’ Lincecum bolsters All-Star case

SAN FRANCISCO - On the lengthy list of Tim Lincecum quirks is his ability to remain stress free on game days.

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Among the empty seats at the ballpark

The view from section 219, row 14 in the Metrodome wasn’t bad, though being in the middle of a long row meant a night spent pasted to the tiny seats.

Angels are well-armed but in need of some offensive pop
The perfect storm that had gathered all season finally descended on Chavez Ravine on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles …

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White Sox Try To Extend Streaks, Take On Athletics

The Chicago White Sox will be attempting to extend two lengthy winning streaks when the resurgent American League Central leaders begin a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics tonight at U.S. Cellular …

Pierzynski’s homer wins it

No stranger to drama, A.J. Pierzynski found himself at the center of it again. This time, he didn’t mind.

White Sox Try To Extend Streaks, Take On Athletics

The Chicago White Sox will be attempting to extend two lengthy winning streaks when the resurgent American League Central leaders begin a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics tonight at U.S. Cellular …

Tigers, Twins trade barbs about close pitches

MINNEAPOLIS -It takes a lot to get the cucumber-cool Joe Mauer upset. Two pitches by Detroit’s Armando Galarraga that had him jumping out of the way in Monday night’s series opener would certainly qualify for …

Dodgers‘ Furcal to have back surgery, out at least two months
Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal will have surgery on Thursday to relieve pressure on a disk in his lower back and could be out …

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Anderson’s home run lifts Angels over A’s

Vladimir Guerrero triggered a three-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI single and Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Longoria’s hot bat helps Rays sweep Red Sox
Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs Wednesday night, helping the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox …

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The Angels tapped into some unexpected power sources today, getting a tiebreaking two-run home run from seldom-used reserve outfielder Juan Rivera and a solo shot from light-hitting shortstop Erick Aybar in a …

Longoria’s hot bat helps Rays sweep Red Sox
Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs Wednesday night, helping the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox …

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Pierzynski’s homer wins it

No stranger to drama, A.J. Pierzynski found himself at the center of it again. This time, he didn’t mind.

Rays sweep Sox as dream season continues

Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, right, flips the ball over Tampa runner Carl Crawford in order to force him at second base in the first inning on Wednesday.

Blackburn helps Twins tweak Tigers, seal shutout
Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer’s two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third …

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Hank: Yankees need to wake up

‘We can definitely still make a run at it,’ Steinbrenner says of his struggling ballclub.

Billingsley shuts down Astros in Dodgers‘ 5-2 win
Chad Billingsley pitched eight strong innings and Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers …

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There hasn’t been much to smile about these days for the defending NL champion Colorado Rockies.

Juan Rivera, Erick Aybar power Angels over Athletics

The Angels tapped into some unexpected power sources today, getting a tiebreaking two-run home run from seldom-used reserve outfielder Juan Rivera and a solo shot from light-hitting shortstop Erick Aybar in a …

Hardy homers twice as Brewers beat Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks‘ Randy Johnson walks off the field in the middle of the second inning after giving up six runs to the Milwaukee Brewers in the first two innings of a baseball game Tuesday, July 1, 2008, in …

Dodgers v. Astros Preview

After being virtually nonexistent the last few games, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ offense finally broke out of its slump.

Vladimir Guerrero triggered a three-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI single and Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Tigers, Twins trade barbs about close pitches

MINNEAPOLIS -It takes a lot to get the cucumber-cool Joe Mauer upset. Two pitches by Detroit’s Armando Galarraga that had him jumping out of the way in Monday night’s series opener would certainly qualify for …

Hank: Yankees need to wake up

‘We can definitely still make a run at it,’ Steinbrenner says of his struggling ballclub.

Rays cap another 3-game sweep of Red Sox (AP)

There’s no secret to the success of the Tampa Bay Rays this season. Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting carried them to the top of the AL East standings. The same winning combination is keeping them there. Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs and B.J. Upton made a “Willie Mays-esque” catch in center field to help an improved bullpen hold off Boston 7-6 Wednesday night for…

White Sox maintain run with late rally against Indians

The Chicago White Sox staged a late rally against the Cleveland Indians to register a sixth straight victory on Tuesday, the home team scoring twice in the bottom of the 10th inning to seal a 3-2 triumph.

White Sox win on Pierzynski’s HR in 10th (AP)

No stranger to drama, A.J. Pierzynski found himself at the center of it again. This time, he didn’t mind. Pierzynski led off the 10th inning with his second homer of the game and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Wednesday night for their seventh straight win. “Ozzie was yelling at me to not try to be a hero and hit a single,” Pierzynski said.

Phillies move to 5-0 in Atlanta, win 7-3 (AP)

No first baseman in the major leagues has more errors than Ryan Howard’s nine, and that worries Charlie Manuel. No player in the National League can match Howard’s 71 RBIs, and that makes Manuel feel better. Howard hit a three-run homer before his two errors in the ninth inning gave Philadelphia a scare, Pat Burrell added his second homer of the series and the Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3…

A-Rod to skip HR Derby at Yankee Stadium
Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez will skip the All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium next month, choosing to protect his finely tuned swing. The reigning AL MVP participated in three derbies before he joined the Yankees in 2004 and he feels the made-for-TV event held the night before the July 15 All-Star game can have an adverse affect on a batter’s mechanics. “Always has for me,” Rodriguez said Tuesday before the Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers.

A’s prospect gets $4.25M signing bonus (AP)
The Oakland Athletics and prized 16-year-old pitching prospect Michael Inoa agreed Wednesday to a minor league contract with a $4.25 million signing bonus. That is an A’s record for a signing an amateur player. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound right-hander is widely considered the top prospect in his country and much of Latin America and is scheduled to play in the Dominican Summer League.