Stranded in quicksand: Sox sinking as lost chances mount  —  Four batters painted an all too familiar picture for the Red Sox [team stats] last night.  —  The frustration of the Sox' recent rough patch reached a crescendo during the seventh inning of the 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park [map].

SCOUTS FLOCK INTO STADIUM  —  The Yankees continue to talk to the Dodgers about utilityman Wilson Betemit, but the Dodgers are also chatting with the Royals about reliever Octavio Dotel, whom they like a little bit better than Scott Proctor.  —  The Dodgers had scout Mark Weidemaier at Yankee Stadium yesterday.

A second look at Sammy Sosa?  —  LOS ANGELES — Back in December 2004, which was the last time the Mets seriously considered trading for Sammy Sosa, they were prepared to take on nearly $35 million for the two-year commitment.  Or at least general manager Omar Minaya was willing to.

Teixeira not easy to deal  —  PLAYER OF THE DAY  —  Mark Teixeira 1B, Texas Rangers  —  A franchise-caliber player just a year ago, Mark Teixeira has astoundingly become the guy the Rangers (a) want to move and (b) can't.  His production has slipped this season, and he's due to become a free agent after 2008.

Trainer: Wood recovery a 'miracle'  —  Shoulder has made incredible progress  —  Kerry Wood's velocity improved to 95 m.p.h. in his third rehab outing in Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday, and he could be taking his show to Class A Peoria early next week.  —  Wood threw seven strikes in seven pitches …

Future Shock  —  Scouts' Chatter  —  I spent much of the week on the phone with a variety of scouts to discuss some of their second-half coverage.  Here are some highlights, focusing primarily on players that have been discussed in recent chats and Ten Packs.  Their performances made the grade, but what did the scouts say?

Pirates' Snell issues an act of contrition  —  Washington - Contrition and discipline followed the Rockies from Pittsburgh on Thursday.  —  Before Colorado faced Washington, Pirates starter Ian Snell called manager Clint Hurdle and apologized for his jarring comments after Wednesday's loss.

Trade Cordero?  It's an Issue of Getting Value  —  Chad Cordero spent much of the offseason reading about how the Washington Nationals, the franchise that drafted him and gave him a chance to lead the majors with 47 saves in 2005, might trade him.  Now, less than two weeks …

HAD OUR PHIL OF MORGAN  —  IT ain't so, Joe!  The self- mutilation of ESPN, the systemic destruction of what once promised to be the best thing that ever happened to sports fans, continues, on all fronts.  —  Sunday night on ESPN the Cardinals were beating the Phillies, 10-0, in the eighth inning.

Ramirez powers surging Cubs by Arizona  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Aramis Ramirez homered and had four RBIs and Jacque Jones added a pair of two-out RBI singles as the surging Chicago Cubs won for the 19th time in 24 games by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 Friday.

Five and Fly: Teetering A's shop players  —  Going on August now, and it seems odd to not have the Oakland A's around.  —  The best second-half team in the game since 1999 - ask the Los Angeles Angels - the A's don't look to have it in them this summer.  —  Rather than making …

Cuba tops U.S. to win Pan Am baseball gold  —  RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A Pan American Games silver medal earned by a bunch of college baseball players bodes well for the United States in next summer's Olympics.  Of course, the gold that Cuba grabbed for the 10th straight …

Cantu Considers His Rays Career Over  —  ST. PETERSBURG If Jorge Cantu has his way, he won't wear a Devil Rays uniform again.  —  The Rays optioned the 25-year-old to Durham after Thursday's game as part of a series of moves to add pitching.  OF Dustan Mohr also was designated for assignment …

Notes: Anderson glad to be back  —  Newly promoted veteran filling Franco's bench role  —  LOS ANGELES — Marlon Anderson signed with the Mets before the 2005 season for one reason: "Because I wanted to play for Willie Randolph."  Now he's back with the Mets for two reasons …