Chemist Says Sheffield and Bonds Used Drugs  —  Patrick Arnold, a chemist who worked with the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, said in an HBO Sports interview that Barry Bonds and Gary Sheffield took performance-enhancing drugs provided to them by the laboratory.

Notes: Alou, Pedro take a step back  —  NEW YORK — The Mets were relatively confident in early June that Moises Alou would be a full-time participant by early July.  That, general manager Omar Minaya said, would afford the ample time to judge his readiness for late stages of the division race …

Maine's first career homer lifts Mets  —  Righty also limits Pirates to two runs over seven innings for win  —  NEW YORK — A home run off the bat of a pitcher prompts smiles like a toddler's malaprops or a kitten with a ball of yarn.  Shea Stadium smiled from foul pole to foul pole on Tuesday night.

Notes: Braves linked to Teixeira  —  Source confirms deal in works for Rangers slugger  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As the Braves were preparing to play the Giants at AT&T Park on Tuesday night, the buzz at other Major League parks across the country was that they had emerged as the favorites to land Mark Teixeira in a trade with the Rangers.

First basemen hot deadline commodities  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 45 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Trade tidbits as the non-waiver deadline draws closer.  — The Mariners, blanketing the majors with scouts in their pursuit of rotation and bullpen help, are drawing mild inquiries on first baseman Richie Sexson.

Slumping Mariners drop nightcap  —  Seattle swept in doubleheader despite Washburn's effort  —  ARLINGTON — The Mariners have experienced enough difficult times so far this season that they say pushing the panic button anytime soon is not an option.  —  But the third losing streak …

Trade Winds: Teixeira out of Texas?  —  Boston appears to be the front runner to land first baseman  —  With less than a week to go until the trade deadline, it's looking more and more as though Mark Teixeira's days as a Ranger are numbered in single digits.

Angels announce roster moves  —  ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Tuesday placed right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colon on the 15-day disabled list due to irritation of the right elbow.  At the same time, the club optioned infielder Kendry Morales to triple-A Salt Lake.

Rockies stand .500 after playing 100  —  One hundred games into the season, the Rockies remain a 50-50 proposition.  —  In Tuesday night's 5-3 loss to the Padres, they got a promising seven-inning performance from 23-year-old starter Ubaldo Jimenez, and they put together a late-game rally, pumping up the volume at Coors Field.

Mariners reinstate RHP Mark Lowe from 60-day disabled list  —  LHP Ryan Feierabend optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.  RHP Sean White transferred from 15- to 60-day DL  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today …

Latest trade talk: Mets interested in Grudzielanek  —  Royals veteran Mark Grudzielanek is believed to be on a short list of second basemen eyed by the New York Mets as a possible replacement for injured Jose Valentin.  —  The Mets showed interest in Grudzielanek as a free agent after the 2005 season before opting to sign Valentin.

Floyd's injuries may force trade  —  ST. LOUIS — Keeping Cliff Floyd healthy has been more difficult than anyone imagined, and it's a concern that may force the Cubs to acquire another outfielder before the July 31 trading deadline.  —  General manager Jim Hendry may be in the market for another hitter for the lineup.