Cubs acquire A's Kendall  —  The Chicago Cubs, looking for help at catcher, acquired Oakland's Jason Kendall on Monday.  —  The Cubs will send catcher Rob Bowen and minor league pitcher Jerry Blevins to the A's for Kendall.  —  Before Monday's game against the Giants, Bowen was designated for assignment.

Notes: Marlins on pace for homer record  —  Club ranks fourth in the NL with 109 long balls  —  MIAMI — For a team that lacks a serious challenger for the home run title, collectively the Marlins are hitting the ball out of the park at a record pace.  —  After belting nine home runs …

Moises blasts into action with home run in first rehab game  —  SAN DIEGO - Moises Alou took a step toward returning from the disabled list when he went 2-for-3, including a solo homer, and walked as a DH for the Gulf Coast League Mets in Port St. Lucie yesterday.

11's barely enough  —  CLEVELAND — Ozzie Guillen was under the impression that general manager Ken Williams' travel plans included joining the team in Cleveland for the three-game series with the Indians.  —  But with the 11-game road trip crawling along after a 1-3 weekend in Baltimore …

Dodgers make it 10,001 for Phils  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers gave Brad Penny more run support than he needed as they piled it on against 44-year-old Jamie Moyer.  —  Jeff Kent and Matt Kemp hit three-run homers and the Dodgers routed the Philadelphia Phillies 10-3 …

Granderson nets weekly AL honor  —  Center fielder opens second half with hot streak  —  After receiving the most write-in votes for the All-Star Game, even though he wasn't selected to the American League squad, Curtis Granderson received an honor the following week.

Brewers place Sheets on disabled list … MILWAUKEE // The Milwaukee Brewers placed pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a sprained finger on his pitching hand.  —  The right-hander was injured Saturday during his start against Colorado.  Sheets, who turns 29 on Wednesday, said he "felt something pop, snap."

Carpenter to be examined today  —  MIAMI — Cardinals team physician Dr. George Paletta will examine pitcher Chris Carpenter today in St. Louis to determine the treatment for swelling in the righthanded ace's elbow.  Paletta was scheduled to meet Carpenter on Monday, but travel arrangements …

Notes: Team optimistic about Otsuka  —  Padilla scratched from rehab start; Melhuse returns to Oakland  —  OAKLAND — This may have been the most-watched bullpen throwing session of the season.  —  Akinori Otsuka threw 30 pitches in the bullpen before Monday's game with the Oakland Athletics …

Mailbag: Did Henderson best the Mets?  —  Reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I saw the statistic you wrote about — that Rickey Henderson had led off the first inning with a home run more times by the time he played with the Mets in 1999 than the Mets had in their history.

Bonds scratched from lineup against Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Barry Bonds needed a physical and mental break in a big way.  —  The slumping slugger was scratched from San Francisco's starting lineup Monday night, letting him rest his aching legs and giving him time to focus on something besides his latest funk at the plate.

Hessman having career year in Minors  —  Prospect has breakout season after 12 years in pro ball  —  TOLEDO, Ohio — There aren't many players in all of professional baseball who have had as much success as Mud Hens third baseman Mike Hessman this season.  That's the good news.

Prospectus Today  —  Grab Bag  —  Working through some of the stories listed on this page, word-that-rhymes-with-slog style...  - Dodgers recall D.J. Houlton.  I note this only because Houlton is a pitcher I've liked for some time, going back to when he was taken by the Dodgers in the 2005 Rule 5 draft.