Padres' Bell credits cookies for success  —  SAN DIEGO — Aside from his ERA, former Met Heath Bell hasn't changed much since coming to the Padres.  When the affable Bell greeted a group of New York reporters yesterday he was wearing a T-shirt that read, "I'm in shape.  Round is a shape."

D'backs' Jackson on display for Sox?  —  An interesting thing happened on Monday night in Milwaukee: The Arizona Diamondbacks played their first baseman, Conor Jackson, in left field, only the second time in his big-league career he has played there.  —  According to MLB sources …

Lee, Pence, Oswalt lift Astros over Nats  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Brad Lidge was back in the closer's role, back to pitching effectively under pressure, back to earning a save.  —  Now he just hopes to stay with the Houston Astros.  —  Lidge struck out two in the ninth inning for his first save since 2006 …

Royals notebook: Dodgers showing interest in Dotel  —  It appears the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the most serious party yet in the Royals' effort to seek an impact return by offering veteran closer Octavio Dotel before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.

Rockies move above .500  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) - Josh Fogg scattered five hits over seven innings as the Colorado Rockies beat Pittsburgh 6-2 on Tuesday night, handing the Pirates their fifth consecutive loss.  —  Jamey Carroll reached base four times and Garrett Atkins …

Midseason Prospect Update: Top 100 Update  —  We've now watched teams play nearly 90 games since our preseason Top 100 prospects list debuted in March.  As we pass the midseason point, we figured it was time to take a snapshot of which Top 100 prospects have improved their stock and which ones are on the slide.

Rest easy ...  ... Chip Ambres in the house.  Check out the details from this Mets release:  —  The New York Mets today placed infielder Damion Easley on the bereavement list and selected Chip Ambres' contract from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.  Ambres will wear #36 and will be available for tonight's game.

Dukes admits marijuana use … TAMPA - Troubled Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes admitted under oath Monday that he smokes marijuana.  —  After Dukes' estranged wife accused the ballplayer of doing the drug "on a daily basis," Hillsborough Circuit Judge Kevin Carey asked Dukes if he uses it.

Sheets will learn extent of injury  —  Ace put on 15-day DL for now  —  The Milwaukee Brewers will learn today if they're going to lose staff ace Ben Sheets for a couple of weeks or a more extended period.  —  In other words, when it comes to the middle finger on Sheets' pitching hand, club officials have their fingers crossed.

Is trading Kendall a signal?  —  Swap with Cubs might be sign A's are looking beyond 2007  —  A's general manager Billy Beane isn't quite ready to wave the white flag, but he admitted that Monday's trade of catcher Jason Kendall could signal the team's focus has shifted partially to next year.

Agatha 'Pete' Doman: At 79, she bopped a Brewer to protect her beloved M's  —  Agatha Doman was a pastor's daughter, raised on sermons of love and respect and all things good.  She wasn't one to pick fights, though one Saturday night in the Kingdome, she didn't back down, either.

Jeter is too cool for his own good  —  NEW YORK - If history has taught us anything about Derek Jeter, it's that reading him is like monitoring the Kremlin.  In other words, good luck discerning how the captain feels about Gary Sheffield or the Yankees' relentless march towards mediocrity …