Sources: Nats trying to trade for Dukes  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Nationals are pursuing a trade for troubled Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.  —  No deal is imminent, and other clubs remain interested in Dukes, one source says.

Notes: Clark exits as Loney gets call  —  Outfielder likely to opt out of contract if he clears waivers  —  LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Brady Clark was designated for assignment on Sunday, and infielder James Loney was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.  —  Clark, who was hitting .224 …

Remember Jeff Samardzija?  He's 0-The Season  —  Remember Jeff Samardzija?  Last time you heard from him he was being glorified on national TV along with his pals Brady Quinn and Charlie Weis.  And no longer being buoyed by NBC's self-interested promotion of the Irish, his luck seems to have dried up, at least for now.

Twins' offense cries out for another bat  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears to be adding a designated hitter or third baseman.  —  As the Twins consider trade options to bolster their inconsistent lineup, their focus appears …

Twins Avoid Sweep Against Nats  —  Dmitri Young stood at home plate as the latest ball scorched off his bat tailed toward the seats in the upper deck in right field at the Metrodome.  The shot was towering, and there was just one question in the first inning Sunday afternoon: Fair or foul.

Up next for Clemens?  Meet the Mets  —  DETROIT — Roger Clemens will make his second 2007 start Friday against the Mets at Yankee Stadium, Yankees manager Joe Torre said yesterday.  —  Mets manager Willie Randolph said the Mets will be ready.  —  "He looks the same to me," …

A proven shyness of big splashes  —  Jim from Highlands Ranch: Will Rox ever again splurge? … Troy - I know it's still a ways away, but give me one realistic free-agent possibility, if there even is one.  Thanks a lot.  — Jim L., Highlands Ranch  —  Jim - The Rockies …

Rallying Rangers unravel in 12th  —  twills@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - For all these two-out, ninth-inning rallies, the Rangers remain what they are - the team with the fewest wins in baseball.  —  A night after a two-out rally in the ninth inning gave them their most dramatic victory of the season …

Weaver, Halos fall short of Cardinals  —  Right-hander leaves after three innings with lower back injury  —  ST. LOUIS — The Angels lost starting pitcher Jered Weaver after three innings to lower back tightness, but he stuck around long enough to see why Albert Pujols is such an advocate of Sunday baseball.

Braves earn testy 5-4 win over Cubs  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Bobby Cox insists he has no animosity toward the Chicago Cubs.  Lou Piniella said he feels the same way about the Atlanta Braves.  —  The reality, however, is that each manager oversees a pitching staff that keeps hitting batters on the other team.

Selig still spinning steroid saga  —  Commish's decision to turn up heat on Giambi latest attempt to save face  —  Let's see if we have this straight: New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi speaks to USA Today about possible use of performance-enhancing drugs, and former Sen. George Mitchell wants …

Mets ask El Duque to right the ship  —  New York (36-25) at Los Angeles (35-28), Monday, 10:10 p.m. ET  —  Orlando Hernandez has typically been known as a pitcher who can eat up innings and advance late into games.  This season doesn't appear to be any different for Hernandez, even at 37 years old.

Inside the Pirates: Colborn merits credit for starters  —  Most of rotation, exempting Duke, is exceeding expectations  —  Some might say Zach Duke has been pitching in a blur all season.  —  NEW YORK — For all the frustration accompanying Zach Duke's opening third of the season …

D-backs stumble in extras  —  Club unable to protect three-run lead in losing third straight  —  PHOENIX — The Boston Red Sox brought enough fans to fill Chase Field, turning a typically sparse crowd with rows of empty seats in the upper decks into a sellout crowd of 49,826 that set an attendance record at Chase Field.