Bonds Gets Two Closer  —  Time, as measured by Barry Bonds's pursuit of Hank Aaron's all-time home run record, has seemed to slow down and speed up this year in ways that defy physics — short bursts of power that push Bonds closer to history, and lengthier stretches of drought that leave him looking frustrated and old.

Drew's stock continues to plummet  —  BOSTON — Thanks to a nagging hamstring strain, J.D. Drew was not in the lineup last night, which may have been just as well for Drew.  —  For the first time this season, Drew became the target of fans Wednesday night, a repository for their frustration …

Pirates bottom out, 2-1  —  Drop to last place as slide hits seven  —  Home again.  —  It seemed just about the only missing piece to the Pirates' precipitous plunge, one in which they have fallen short in all seven games since the All-Star break.  But there it was in the standings …

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.

So that's what's wrong with Craig Hansen...  This entry was posted on 7/19/2007 10:16 PM and is filed under uncategorized.  —  Very interesting and telling comments from Peter Gammons during his weekly Thursday segment with Mike Felger on the 890 ESPN's Mike Felger Show Thursday afternoon …

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.

Memorabilia company sues Big Papi for $1M  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A sports memorabilia company sued Boston Red Sox baseball star David Ortiz for $1 million Friday, claiming he breached a contract by failing to autograph a required number of items and appear at "meet-and-greet" events.

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.

Ramirez powers surging Cubs by Arizona  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The way things are going for the Cubs these days, it seems manager Lou Piniella can make out any lineup he wants and it clicks.  —  With Derrek Lee, Cliff Floyd and Daryle Ward all sidelined, Piniella went a with quicker team …

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.

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?

Beltre, Batista lead M's past Jays 4-2  —  TORONTO (AP) — J.J. Putz is making the ninth inning easy for Mariners manager John McLaren.  —  Putz earned his 29th save, Miguel Batista got his 10th win and Seattle beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Friday night.  —  "It's an eight-inning game," McLaren said.

Butler sparks Royals past Tigers 10-2  —  DETROIT (AP) — Billy Butler has heard a lot of jokes about the Kansas City Royals during his short major league career.  —  He's trying to make some of them obsolete.  —  The rookie had four hits and four RBIs on Friday night …

Yanks call up Duncan, put him in lineup  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees purchased the contract of utility player Shelley Duncan from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday and optioned outfielder Kevin Thompson to their top farm club.  —  Duncan hit .295 with 25 homers and 79 RBIs …

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.

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 …

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 …