Retiring Biggio hits slam to lift Astros  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Craig Biggio started his long goodbye with a grand slam.  —  Hours after announcing he plans to retire at the end of this season, Biggio capped a six-run sixth inning with a tiebreaking grand slam that led the Houston Astros over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 Tuesday night.

Selig to watch Bonds tonight  —  Bud Selig will be in attendance at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Tuesday night and said he will try to be in attendance for future games as Barry Bonds attempts to set Major League Baseball's all-time home run record.  —  "Out of respect for the tradition of this game …

Dice-K outpitches Sabathia for 1-0 win  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka's English is still a work in progress.  However, the Japanese sensation understands what "bullpen" means to the Boston Red Sox.  —  That a win usually is only a handful of outs away.

Moises Alou's DL stay extended a few days  —  The Mets were hoping to activate Moises Alou for Tuesday's game with the Pirates at Shea Stadium.  —  But the leftfielder will have to stay on the disabled list for at least a few more days after injuring his right shoulder in his final minor league rehab game Sunday at Brooklyn.

Maine homers, strikes out 7 to lift Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Fans at Shea Stadium are accustomed to seeing John Maine pitch well.  It took a home run for the Mets' best starter to get a curtain call.  —  Maine's two-run homer, which capped a four-run fourth inning, was pretty …

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.

Marlins insist Willis not on the market  —  PHOENIX One ESPN analysis of the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline touted Dontrelle Willis as perhaps the best available starter.  —  Here's the problem with that: Willis is not available.  —  The Marlins continue telling teams Willis is not up for discussion.

Martinez throws three simulated innings  —  Mets hurler will report how he feels on Tuesday  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets' baseball simulator was in use Monday, and so was Pedro Martinez.  Some of the mystery that recently had shrouded the rehabilitation of Martinez's surgically-repaired shoulder …

BOMBERS CONVENE TRADE  —  Just because nothing is hot on the trade front isn't going to keep Yankee brass from convening for meetings in Tampa.  —  General manager Brian Cashman arrived last night and was spotted watching Single-A Tampa play Clearwater in a Florida State League tilt.

Notes: Young talks contract extension  —  Slugger reacts to Belliard's recent contract agreement  —  PHILADELPHIA — A day after hearing that teammate Ronnie Belliard signed a two-year $3.5 million extension, Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young said he wants to stay with the Nationals …

Cardinals have chance to move up or out  —  Some Cardinals see the seven-game home stand that begins tonight against the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers as nothing more than two midsummer series.  Others see it as the pivot point to their season.  —  A select few believe it might dictate whether …

Big Unit acknowledges he might be done  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Randy Johnson pitched to batters for the first time in his latest comeback from a back injury on Tuesday, then acknowledged the possibility that he might not return this season — or maybe ever.  —  "I think everybody in this clubhouse …

Biggio reveals '07 will be last season  —  Astros legend to retire on own terms after 20 years in game  —  HOUSTON — Over the course of baseball history, very few players leave the game on their own terms.  Sometimes, injuries force them out.  Often, their skills have eroded but they just can't bring themselves to call it a career.

Capellan sent down, Byrdak returns from rehab  —  CHICAGO — As expected, the Tigers made room on the roster for Virgil Vasquez by optioning Jose Capellan to Triple-A Toledo.  —  Capellan was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six appearances since the Tigers acquired him from Milwaukee.