Today's Baseball Headlines

Arizona Republic

• Jackson's single lifts D-Backs in 9th: Conor Jackson's 2-run single in the 9th rallied the D-Backs past the Brewers 6-5 Thursday.
• Webb struggles, but teammates respond: Not everything goes well all the time, even for Cy Young Award winners.
• Disputed home run doesn't cost D-Backs: A controversial home run call in Thursday's Diamondbacks game once again raises the question of instant replay within the MLB.
• D-Backs facing leadership questions: Because of their struggles, Diamondbacks are being questioned about leadership.
• Up next for D-Backs: San Diego Padres: Coming up next for the D-Backs, the struggling San Diego Padres.
• Pitch and catch: Ken Kendrick: Questions and answers with D-Backs owner Ken Kendrick
• Selig: Drug program threatened by prosecutors: BC-BBO--Steroids, 2nd Ld-Writethru,1028
• Report: Alex Rodriguez has split from wife: Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than 3 months after the birth of the couple's 2nd daughter.

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Associated Press

• Lincecum, Aurilia lift Giants over Cubs 8-3: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Tim Lincecum trailed for all of two innings, then held down the Chicago Cubs' dangerous lineup. Lincecum increased his National League-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight Ks in six innings and also singled in a run and scored, helping the San Francisco Giants salvage a four-game split with an 8-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday....
• Selig: Drug program threatened by prosecutors: NEW YORK (AP) -- Baseball's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples four years ago, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and union head Donald Fehr said in letters to Congress released Thursday....
• Lester pitches 5-hitter, Red Sox end 5-game skid: NEW YORK (AP) -- Jon Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter while the Boston Red Sox roughed up Andy Pettitte, beating the New York Yankees 7-0 on Thursday night to end a five-game losing streak....
• Hollimon hits first homer in Tigers win: SEATTLE (AP) -- Justin Verlander threw six strong innings, Michael Hollimon hit his first big league home run and the Detroit Tigers hung on to beat the Seattle Mariners 8-4 Thursday night....
• Spilborghs' 2-run single in 11th lifts Rockies: DENVER (AP) -- Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single off Kevin Gregg with one out in the 11th inning rallied the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida Marlins on Thursday night....

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Boston Globe

• Lester pitches 5-hitter, Red Sox end 5-game skid: Jon Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter while the Boston Red Sox roughed up Andy Pettitte, beating the New York Yankees 7-0 on Thursday night to end a five-game losing streak.
• Finishing kick: What Jon Lester did last night for the Red Sox came as a great relief to a team that had lost its last five games. What he did to the Yankees, throwing a 7-0 shutout in his first appearance at Yankee Stadium, roiled a team that is tilting toward irrelevance, except for maybe the gossip columns.
• Exposito making up for lost time: When Luis Exposito starts struggling, he gets out his cellphone. He types in a few words to Bob Tewksbury , a sports psychologist who works with Red Sox minor leaguers, and presses the send button. The advice he gets always seems to help.
• Problems continue to mount: Whose problems are worse? In this corner, your Boston Red Sox: Manny vs. Jack McCormick . . . Jason Varitek's slump . . . The implosion of the bullpen.
• Relief in sight? Timlin returns to bullpen: An inquisitor with an obviously advanced baseball IQ suggested to Mike Timlin yesterday it had to be good getting people out, whether it was for Triple A Pawtucket, where Timlin just returned from three rehab outings in which he retired all nine batters he faced, or in the big leagues.
• Crisp comes back with a vengeance: It's not easy being kicked out of the stadium each night, quarantined in one's hotel room for five straight evenings. Batting practice, and that's it? That's no fun.
• Sparks fly following N.Y. dud: The Red Sox had to get out of Florida to find an easy game. They had to come to the Bronx to find a patsy.
• Red Sox activate Timlin from DL, ready for Yankees: Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin returned from the disabled list Thursday, joining the Boston bullpen for the start of a four-game series against the New York Yankees.

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Detroit News

• Tigers bounce back: SEATTLE -- One more Tigers personality trait has shown up a month after the Tigers decided they really were a good baseball team.
• Tony Paul: Down in front, just for starters: They say Rome wasn't built in a day. And they're right. It actually was built in the span of three innings Saturday night at Comerica Park.
• Leyland considers starting Zumaya: SEATTLE -- Jim Leyland made clear -- very clear -- that any such plans were"way down the road,"but he conceded Thursday that he has"thought about"the possibility of moving Joel Zumaya from the bullpen to a starting role.
• Madonna, A-Rod set tongues wagging: NEW YORK -- Reports that Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have both the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world -- each a chatty bunch -- buzzing with questions about the two"friends."
• Lester musters up five-hitter: Jon Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter while the Boston Red Sox roughed up Andy Pettitte, beating the New York Yankees, 7-0, on Thursday night to end a five-game losing streak. A throwing error by shortstop Derek Jeter (Kalamazoo) gave the Red Sox a quick lead. Coco Crisp came back from a five-game suspension to score twice, and it was 6-0 by the fifth inning.
• Is A-Rod divorcing wife for Madonna?: NEW YORK -- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.
• Tigers'young players are growing into their roles: SEATTLE -- Clete Thomas, Matt Joyce, and even Michael Hollimon have made it of late into manager Jim Leyland's starting lineup.

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ESPN.com

• Olney: Brandon Webb is busy resting: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• Lester spins 5-hit shutout as BoSox blister Yanks: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• Filing: DNA will link syringes to Clemens, steroids: Tests of syringes and other steroid paraphernalia that trainer Brian McNamee submitted to federal agents will test positive for Roger Clemens's DNA, according to a brief filed in court by McNamee's lawyers.
• Cubs planning to take Zambrano off DL on Friday: The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Reed Johnson from the disabled list Thursday, and he was in the starting lineup batting leadoff and playing left field for the finale of a four-game series against the Giants.
• Hamels helps power Phils to 8-1 record vs. Braves: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• Hip injury puts Mets' hobbled Castillo on 15-day DL: The New York Mets placed second baseman Luis Castillo on the 15-day-disabled list Thursday due to a strained hip flexor.
• Rockies sink Marlins on Spilborghs's 11th-inning hit: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• Padres' Barrett examined after fouling ball off face: Padres catcher Michael Barrett returned to San Diego and was examined at Scripps Clinic a day after fouling a ball off his face at Colorado.
• Selig: Feds' involvement threatened drug program: Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says the sport's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples in 2004.
• Duchscherer wins pitchers' duel to slow ChiSox: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• Jackie Robinson inducted into college baseball HOF: Jackie Robinson was inducted today into the College Baseball Foundation's Hall of Fame.
• Tribe's Cabrera plays in Triple-A after bat incident: Indians prospect Asdrubal Cabrera was fined an undisclosed amount but played for Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, one night after throwing his helmet and raising his bat toward plate umpire Jason Klein while getting ejected.
• Nomar, Andruw Jones to rejoin L.A. by the bay: Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra and outfielder Andruw Jones will come off the disabled list Friday and join the Dodgers in San Francisco.
• Seven-run sixth carries rallying Royals past O's: Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.
• White Sox's Konerko to go on Triple-A assignment: White Sox slugger Paul Konerko hopes to come off the disabled list early next week after a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Charlotte this weekend.
• Glavine encouraged by reduced pain in elbow: Tom Glavine said he is encouraged about the reduced pain in his left elbow after some aggressive exercises on Wednesday, and the Braves pitcher hopes to begin throwing off the mound in about two weeks.

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Fort Worth Star-Telegram

• Long relief or short, Rupe makes his place in’pen: By ANTHONY ANDRO
• Happy 100th Anniversary,'Take Me Out to the Ball Game': By DAVID THOMAS
• Showalter pulls for Rangers,'Seinfeld’ reruns: RAY BUCK

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

• Diamondbacks 6, Brewers 5: Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost showed Thursday that he has not become gun-shy about using reliever...
• Full count: Hot as a firecracker: Shortstop J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to 15 games Thursday by going 4 for 5 with two doubles and a home run. A...
• Notes: Cameron hasn't reached full swing: Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers manager

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MLB.com

• 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.
• MLB honors veterans on July 4: Major League Baseball has special events planned for the entire July 4 weekend, in conjunction with"Welcome Back Veterans"national fundraising and awareness campaign to honor America's veterans.
• All-Star '08: Selection Show on Sunday | Tix:
• Crazy comeback steals win for D-backs: Conor Jackson's single up the middle scored two runs to lead the D-backs past the Brewers, 6-5, on Thursday afternoon in front of 23,842 at Chase Field.
• Hamels' arm unleases gem, brooms: Cole Hamels pitched 8 2/3 strong innings, Chase Utley hit his National League-leading 24th homer and the Phillies swept the Braves with a 4-1 win at Turner Field on Thursday.
• Deadline: Are you in or out? | Trade Blog:
• Yanks' quiet loss spurs loud meeting: Andy Pettitte was off from the start on Thursday, allowing six runs (five earned) to snap a personal streak of six straight wins as the Yankees lost the first of four with the Red Sox, 7-0. Reliever Dan Giese retired all seven batters he faced.
• Lincecum downs Cubs for 10th win: Giants ace Tim Lincecum limited the Cubs to three runs in six innings, and pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia drilled a three-run homer Thursday in an 8-3 win.
• Selig, Fehr respond to Congress: Baseball's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples four years ago, Commissioner Bud Selig said in a letter to Congress released Thursday.
• Glavine sees progress, hopes to return: If Tom Glavine's left elbow cooperates, he would like to return to the Braves this season. But if it doesn't, he will likely undergo surgery to give him the chance of pitching next year.
• Hernandez throws with no problems: With the Mariners scrambling around to fill the injured Felix Hernandez's rotation spot, the ace's everyday progress is noteworthy news in Seattle these days. And Thursday's update was a big thumbs-up for the young right-hander.
• Report: DNA implicates Clemens: A new brief filed in court by Brian McNamee says that paraphernalia submitted to federal agents by the former trainer will test positive for Roger Clemens' DNA, ESPN.com reported on Thursday.
• Bats come alive to bite Cardinals: The Mets produced one of their most explosive offensive outputs this season and received one of Mike Pelfrey's finest performances for an 11-1 win over the Cards on Thursday night.
• Tigers beat Silva for third time: Carlos Silva usually wins with ground balls, but he doesn't win much these days against the Tigers, who beat him for the third time, 8-4, on Thursday.
• Duchscherer starting to impress: Jack Cust and backup Donnie Murphy each homered to support another strong outing by Justin Duchscherer, which came in the Athletics' 3-2 victory over the White Sox on Thursday.
• Billingsley wins Dodgers' third straight: Chad Billingsley allowed no earned runs in eight innings, striking out five and walking one in a 5-2 victory over the Astros on Thursday. James Loney had a home run and two RBIs, Andre Ethier homered and Blake DeWitt had a two-run single.
• Rockies win on walk-off single: Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Rockies their third straight victory, 6-5 over the Marlins before the second Coors Field sellout crowd of the season, 48,084.
• B. Phillips shines as Reds top Nationals: Brandon Phillips hit a two-run single in the seventh inning to help the Reds to a 5-3 victory over the Nationals on Thursday night.
• Royals use big inning to defeat O's: The Royals used their biggest inning of the season to bushwack the Baltimore Orioles, 10-7, on Thursday night at Camden Yards. The victory gave Kansas City a split in the four-game series.
• Big Hurt back in Chicago with A's: Be it ever so presently dangerous for opposing pitchers and opposing teams, there's no place like U.S. Cellular Field in the mind of Frank Thomas.
• Wright tweaks groin, leaves game: Mets third baseman David Wright left Thursday's game after tweaking his left groin in the sixth inning. He should not miss any more time.
• Oswalt to miss start on Saturday: Right-hander Roy Oswalt, recovering from a hip abductor strain, will not make his scheduled start on Saturday, and instead start Tuesday. In his place, right hander Chris Sampson will make his spot-start.
• 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.
• Happ to start for Phils on Friday: Left-hander J.A. Happ will make his second career start, and first of 2008, against the Mets on Friday, taking the rotation slot vacated by Brett Myers.
• Brewers looking for starting pitching: The Brewers are in the hunt for the National League Central and are looking to bolster their starting rotation. Who are they looking at? And what are some of the other names being talked about in trades? Mike Scarr has answers for those questions.
• Matsui not permitted to take BP: Hideki Matsui will not be stepping into the batting cage this weekend after all, as the Yankees plan to proceed more cautiously regarding the slugger's ailing left knee.
• Mets place Castillo on DL to rest leg: The Mets officially placed second baseman Luis Castillo on the disabled list Thursday, giving him an extended opportunity to rest his aching left leg, and putting an end to the constant string of game-time decisions.
• Bartlett on DL with right knee sprain: A day after playing a significant role in the Rays' 7-6 Wednesday night win over the Red Sox, shortstop Jason Bartlett was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right-knee sprain on Thursday.
• Jenks expected to be available soon: Bobby Jenks compared the pain residing under his left scapula as something that feels like a cramp. It's a"cramp"that has sidelined the burly closer for four days as of Thursday. But Jenks doesn't see a trip to the disabled list in his immediate future.
• 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.
• Bullington designated for assignment: To open up a spot on the team's 40-man roster for outfielder Chris Duffy, the Pirates have designated former No. 1 pick Bryan Bullington for assignment.
• Uggla looking for quick return: The optimist in him hopes to be back sometime during the four-game set at Colorado. The realist in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla understands it may be later than that.
• Report: A-Rod, wife have separated: Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

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NY Times

• NYT>Baseball: CHICAGO (AP) -- Justin Duchscherer pitched seven solid innings, Jack Cust and Donnie Murphy homered and the Oakland Athletics beat Chicago 3-2 Thursday night to snap the White Sox's seven-game win streak.
  
  
• Red Sox 7, Yankees 0: The Yankees Are Silenced, and Girardi Lets Them Hear It: It was a challenge for Manager Joe Girardi to keep his composure after the Yankees’lifeless loss to Boston, in which Jon Lester, the Red Sox’starter, was magnificent in a five-hit shutout.
  
  
• Mets 11, Cardinals 1: Mets Easily Clobber Cardinals, but Phillies Loom as True Test: An explosive offensive performance overshadowed an excellent start by Mike Pelfrey and kept the Mets within four and a half games of the Phillies heading into their four-game series.
  
  
• Lester Quickly Settles Down and Sets Down Yanks: Jon Lester silenced the Yankees with a complete-game five-hitter and allowed only one runner to reach as far as third base in powering the Red Sox to a 7-0 victory.
  
  
• Yankee Intern, Injured in Iraq, to Throw Out First Pitch Friday: Tony Odierno lost his left arm when a rocket-propelled grenade smashed through his Humvee in Iraq almost four years ago.
  
  
• Baseball Delayed Tests for Half of’04: Major League Baseball did not test players for performance-enhancing drugs for more than half of the 2004 season, according to a letter sent by Commissioner Bud Selig to Congress.
  
  
• A Hand From a Fan That Isn’t a Problem: Randy Dunning’s visit to Camden Yards in May was a chance to do“one last fun thingâ€�before reporting to Officer Candidate School. Thanks to Manny Ramirez, he’ll never forget the game.
  
  
• Yankees Notebook: Swelling in Knee Keeps Matsui Away From Drills: The Yankees had hoped that Hideki Matsui would be able to take batting practice this weekend, but his troublesome left knee did not cooperate. An operation is possible and would likely end his season.
  
  
• Mets Notebook: With a Trip to Philadelphia, Mets Get to See Where They Stand: The Mets and Phillies series, which begins Friday night in Philadelphia, will provide a good litmus test before the Mets close out the first half of the season.
  
  
• Jules Tygiel, Historian, Dies at 59: Mr. Tygiel was a historian and self-confessed baseball nut whose Brooklyn upbringing inspired his highly regarded scholarship on Jackie Robinson.
  
  
• Tigers 8, Mariners 4: SEATTLE (AP) -- Justin Verlander threw six strong innings, Michael Hollimon hit his first big league home run and the Detroit Tigers hung on to beat the Seattle Mariners 8-4 Thursday night.
  
  
• Royals 10, Orioles 7: BALTIMORE (AP) -- Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 and played a key role in a seven-run sixth inning that carried the Kansas City Royals past the Baltimore Orioles 10-7 on Thursday night.
  
  
• Rockies 6, Marlins 5, 11 Innings: DENVER (AP) -- Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single off Kevin Gregg with one out in the 11th inning rallied the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida Marlins on Thursday night.
  
  
• Reds 5, Nationals 3: CINCINNATI (AP) -- Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBIs and the Cincinnati Reds capitalized on a Washington error to rally for a 5-3 win over the Nationals on Thursday night.
  
  
• Phillies 4, Braves 1: ATLANTA (AP) -- Cole Hamels came within one out of his second shutout of the Braves this season, making the Phillies' second series sweep of the year in Atlanta look easy.
  
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• Giants 8, Cubs 3: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Tim Lincecum trailed for all of two innings, then held down the Chicago Cubs' dangerous lineup.
  
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• Diamondbacks 6, Brewers 5: PHOENIX (AP) -- Conor Jackson hit the winning two-run single as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied from a five-run ninth-inning deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Thursday.
  
  
• Dodgers 5, Astros 2: HOUSTON (AP) -- Chad Billingsley pitched eight strong innings and Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday.
  
  
• Sports of The Times: Renewing a Rivalry While Looking Up at the Rays: It looked so good on the season schedule—four straight dates in early July, BOS@NYY. Mark it down. Save the date. Be there. Why, then, did it feel so anticlimactic Thursday night?
  
  
• TV Sports: Buck Makes Waves by Channel Surfing: It was jarring to hear Joe Buck, Fox’s No. 1 baseball and N.F.L. announcer, say he“barelyâ€�watched sports during the week. Buck claims he was joking about his TV habits.
  
  

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Philadelphia Daily News

• Happ will get his second chance tonight: ATLANTA - J.A. Happ is a much different pitcher from the one who started once last year for the Phillies.
• Strong-arm Man: ATLANTA - During the saga of Brett Myers: Decision '08, the Phillies made an obvious but important adjustment to their rotation.
• Phillies Notes: Durbin is too valuable to move from bullpen: ATLANTA - The Phillies said they never considered moving righthander Chad Durbin from the bullpen to the rotation to replace Brett Myers.
• Minor Leagues: Marson lifts Reading to fourth straight win: READING - Lou Marson drove in two runs and reached base four times last night as the Reading Phillies won their fourth game in a row with a 6-2 Eastern League victory over the New Britain Rock Cats.
• Bosox' Lester hurls shutout at Yankees: NEW YORK - Jon Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter while the Boston Red Sox roughed up Andy Pettitte, beating the New York Yankees, 7-0, last night to end a five-game losing streak.
• Phils complete sweep with Hamels’ win: ATLANTA - During the saga of Brett Myers: Decision '08, the Phillies made an obvious but important adjustment to their rotation.
• Happ to start against Mets tomorrow: ATLANTA - Lefthander J.A. Happ will start tomorrow night for the Phillies against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
• Hamels, Phillies complete another sweep in Atlanta: After Cole Hamels fell one out shy of his bid for a second shutout of the Braves this season, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's emphasis turned to protecting the young left-hander for the rest of the year.
• Shoulder problem for top prospect: READING - After throwing his third warm-up pitch last night, Carlos Carrasco put his head down, his hands on his knees, and staggered toward pitching coach Tom Filer.

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Pittsburg Post-Gazette

• Mientkiewicz big-time asset for Pirates: MILWAUKEE -- Doug Mientkiewicz can play first base -- for sure. He won a Gold Glove at the position with Minnesota in 2001. He also has proven this season he can play right field. And left. And third base.
• Pirates Notebook: Bullington's future hanging in balance: MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates yesterday designated right-hander Bryan Bullington, the team's top pick overall in the 2002 draft, for assignment.
• Pirates designate Bullington for assignment: MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates today designated right-hander Bryan Bullington for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Chris Duffy.

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Seattle Times

• M's can't get a grip: All that talk about a Mariners turnaround under new manager Jim Riggleman always came with an asterisk of sorts. Few could argue the team...
• M's Notebook | Radio broadcasts may be returning to KIRO: A top Mariners official downplayed widespread rumors Thursday that the team's radio broadcasting rights have been awarded back to KIRO 710...
• Game of the Day | Arizona steals it in ninth: As Conor Jackson's two-run single bounced through Milwaukee's drawn-in infield, the Arizona Diamondbacks poured out of their dugout as if...
• AL | Syringe test will confirm Clemens'DNA, trainer says: Steroid paraphernalia turned over to federal investigators by the former trainer for Roger Clemens will test positive for the pitcher's...
• NL | Giants'Lincecum not star struck, even after SI cover appearance: Tim Lincecum the cover boy soon could be Tim Lincecum the All-Star starter—or at least All-Star. And in his second big-league season...
• Between the Seams | Rays turn East upside down: Pennant fever is alive in the oddest of places. Ticket lines are longer, television ratings are rising and the young, budget-minded Tampa...
• AquaSox lose lead and game to Yakima: Yakima rallied to tie the score in the seventh inning and got a go-ahead, solo home run from Collin Cowgill in the eighth to rally for a...
• Big inning by SkySox too much for Rainiers: A big inning helped Colorado Springs beat Tacoma for the second consecutive night in the Pacific Coast League as the SkySox won 5-3 before...
• Just how close'friends'are Madonna and A-Rod?: A-Rod and the Material Girl? That's a lot of hits. Reports that Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have both the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world - each a chatty bunch - buzzing with questions about the two"friends."
• Selig: Drug program threatened by prosecutors: Baseball's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples four years ago, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and union head Donald Fehr said in letters to Congress released Thursday.
• Report: Alex Rodriguez has split from wife: Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• Sky falls on Cardinals: The first pitch of Thursday night’s Cardinals-New York Mets game at Busch Stadium was delayed 26 minutes by rain. But Cardinals righthanded rookie Mitchell Boggs never got started at all.
• Up Next: Cards vs. Cubs: CARDINALS VS. CHICAGO AT BUSCH STADIUM 7:15 tonight FSN Midwest Braden Looper RHP Record • 9-5 ERA • 4.26 Carlos Zambrano RHP Record • 8-3 ERA • 3.13 2:55 p.m. Saturday KTVI (Channel 2) Kyle Lohse RHP Record • 10-2 ERA • 3.6...
• State of lefties is a concern: With one lefty reliever inching toward a return from the disabled list and another new to the job, the Cardinals continue to use what they have while remaining aware of what they need.
• Notes: Busted bats abound: On the first day Major League Baseball began collecting all the evidence from its epidemic of shattering bats, the Cardinals and New York Mets eagerly provided a bushel of wooden shards.
• Cub fans band together in Cardinal country: For those living in Busch Stadium's shadow, it's a rivalry marked by respect.

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Yahoo!

• Rumors swirl around A-Rod, Madonna (AP): A-Rod and the Material Girl? That's a lot of hits. Reports that Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have both the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world -- each a chatty bunch -- buzzing with questions about the two "friends." A third boldface name was added to the saga when Rodriguez's wife fled from New York to the...
• Lester 5-hits Yanks 7-0, BoSox end skid (AP):

  New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (27) approaches the mound to remove pitcher Andy Pettitte, right, as third baseman Alex Rodriguez, upper left, and catcher Jorge Posada gather in the fifth inning of the Yankees 7-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox in their baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Thursday, July 3, 2008. " align="left" border="0">

  Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox talked about everything that went right. New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi delivered a different message. After Lester pitched a sharp five-hitter and Boston stopped a five-game losing streak with a 7-0 victory Thursday night, Girardi closed the clubhouse for a 30-minute meeting.

  
  
• Selig: Feds threatened MLB drug testing (AP):

  Bud Selig addresses the media during a news conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. Baseball's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples four years ago, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a letter to Congress released Thursday July 3, 2008. " align="left" border="0">

  Baseball's drug-testing program was threatened when federal prosecutors seized player records and samples four years ago, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and union head Donald Fehr said in letters to Congress released Thursday. The seizure of the 2003 test results as part of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative drug investigation contributed to a delay in the start of testing in 2004, Selig and...

  
  
• Giants' Lincecum 10-1 after beating Cubs (AP):

  San Francisco Giants catcher Bengie Molina, left, congratulates reliever Osiris Matos after Matos pitched a scoreless ninth inning in his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game in San Francisco, Thursday, July 3, 2008. San Francisco won 8-3. " align="left" border="0">

  Tim Lincecum the cover boy soon could be Tim Lincecum the All-Star starter -- or at least All-Star. And in his second big league season no less. 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 with an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on...

  
  
• Arizona rallies from 5 down in 9th, wins (AP):

  Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost (3) pulls pitcher Brian Shouse, center, as catcher Jason Kendall, left, joins the meeting on the mound in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, July 3, 2008, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Brewers 6-5, scoring all of their runs in the ninth inning. " align="left" border="0">

  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. All they had really done was reach .500. But it felt like a monumental achievement for the slumping NL West leaders. In one of the more improbable victories in team history, the Diamondbacks overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth inning to...

  
  
• Hamels, Phillies sweep in Atlanta again (AP):

  Atlanta Braves outfielders Jeff Francoeur (7) and Gregor Blanco (18) track down triple by Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins in the second inning of a baseball game in Atlanta on Thursday, July 3, 2008. Philadelphia won 4-1. " align="left" border="0">

  After Cole Hamels fell one out shy of his bid for a second shutout of the Braves this season, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's emphasis turned to protecting the young left-hander for the rest of the year. Hamels, who earned his first career shutout against the Braves on May 15, gave up his only run with two outs in the ninth, and Philadelphia beat the Braves 4-1 on Thursday night to complete its...

  
  
• A's end White Sox's 7-game win streak (AP): Huston Street would shrug or roll his eyes, not that it would stop Justin Duchscherer from launching into his sermon. Oakland's closer was overmatched. Duchscherer's opponents know the feeling. "For three years, Duchsherer preached down in the bullpen, 'I am a much better starter than a reliever. I'm a much better starter than a reliever,"' Street said after Duchsherer led the Athletics to a 3-2...
• Mets score 6 in 3rd to rip Cards 11-1 (AP):

  New York Mets' Carlos Delgado, right, is congratulated by third base coach Luis Aguayo while rounding the bases on a two-run home run during the sixh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, July 3, 2008, in St. Louis. " align="left" border="0">

  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-ever RBI and the New York Mets routed the St. Louis Cardinals 11-1 on Thursday night. The Mets beat the Yankees 15-6 in Pelfrey's last start, he won a 9-6 game last month, and had a 3-0 lead against the Cardinals before throwing one pitch.

  
  
• Royals use 7-run 6th to rally past O's (AP):

  Baltimore Orioles shortstop Brandon Fahey prepares to make a late tag on Kansas City Royals Mark Grudzielanek as he slides into second with a double in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 3, 2008, in Baltimore. The Royals won 10-7. " align="left" border="0">

  Down by four runs and within 12 outs of another loss at Camden Yards, the Kansas City Royals put together the kind of inning that happens maybe once a year. Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 and played a key role in a seven-run sixth that carried the Royals past the Baltimore Orioles 10-7 on Thursday night.

  
  
• Pettitte could testify in Clemens suit (AP): Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte could be called to testify in Roger Clemens' federal defamation suit against Brian McNamee as part of the trainer's attempt to dismiss the case. Clemens contends McNamee defamed him when the trainer, who worked for both pitchers, told Pettitte in 1999 or 2000 that Clemens had used HGH and in 2003 or 2004 that Clemens had used steroids.

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