Schilling's words bring response from Canseco  —  Sox pitcher called hypocrite and liar  —  Barry Bonds came under fire on HBO's "Costas Now."  (DINO VOURNAS/REUTERS)  —  CLEVELAND — Former big leaguer Jose Canseco called Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling a "hypocrite and a liar" …

Milledge on style: What, me worry?  —  Lastings Milledge is aware that his flamboyant style of play might ruffle some feathers around the National League.  He just doesn't care.  —  "I like to use the word 'colorful,' " Milledge said last night before he went 2-for-4 with a double and run in the Mets' 6-3 win over the Pirates.

OMAR HAS TWO NATS IN SIGHTS  —  As the trade deadline nears, the Mets are prioritizing a late-game reliever followed by a second baseman - and it just so happens that Omar Minaya's old team has a player at each that the GM has targeted.  —  Minaya drafted and quickly promoted Chad Cordero …

Brewers acquire Linebrink from Padres  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — In turnabout in trade philosophy, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired reliever Scott Linebrink from the San Diego Padres for three minor league pitchers on Wednesday, hoping to bolster their unexpected run at the playoffs.

Grudzielanek Leaves Game  —  UPDATE: Turns out Grudz is just day-to-day with knee soreness.  The Mets deny any rumor that they've traded for him.  Two Royal false alarms today, sorry about that.  —  A friendly emailer tells me that Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was in the original lineup …

Rangers, Braves talk deal for Tex  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  With less than a week to go before the trading deadline, the Rangers are heavily involved in talks with Atlanta on a deal that could send Mark Teixeira to the Braves, major league sources confirmed Wednesday.

Notes: Podsednik prefers top of order  —  Outfielder expresses desire to bat first or second  —  CHICAGO — Excelling from the leadoff position made Scott Podsednik an All-Star in 2005 and played a strong contributing role in the White Sox first World Series title in almost 90 years, achieved that very same season.

A-Rod gets No. 499 off Meche in KC  —  Another blast will make slugger 22nd member of 500 HR club  —  KANSAS CITY — For some time, it hasn't been a matter of if, but when.  Now, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez sits just one home run shy of joining baseball's prestigious 500 home run club.

PEDRO: 'EVERYTHING'S GOING GREAT'  —  Pedro Martinez told The Post yesterday that he feels strong and remains hopeful that he'll be back with the Mets next month.  —  "Oh yeah.  I'm optimistic that I'll be [back by then]," Martinez said in a phone conversation.  "So far, thanks to God, everything's going great.

Yank travel secretary subject of IRS probe  —  Yankee traveling secretary Dave Szen is the latest casualty of the IRS' investigation into illegal activity in baseball, the Daily News has learned.  —  Szen is under investigation by the IRS for allegedly failing to declare income derived …

Notes: Uggla reaches mark again  —  Second baseman has hit 20 home runs in consecutive years  —  PHOENIX — Second base is not traditionally a huge power position.  But Dan Uggla is making it one for the Marlins.  —  After going deep twice on Tuesday night at Chase Field in Arizona …

Dempster patiently working on velocity  —  ST. LOUIS — Ryan Dempster was throwing as high as 97 m.p.h. before being sidelined by his oblique injury, the best velocity he has had in quite some time.  Dempster isn't concerned about getting back to 97 too quickly now that he's back.

Pirates Notebook: Snell's remarks cause little stir  —  NEW YORK — "Baby Sheff."  —  That is Pirates reliever Shawn Chacon's new nickname for starter Ian Snell after Snell's recent string of controversial comments about the team and its losing ways.  —  "He's like Gary Sheffield," …

Lowe goes out early with groin injury  —  He joins list of injured pitchers, leaving early with strain in Astros' win.  MRI exam is set for today.  L.A. gets just six hits for second game in a row.  —  HOUSTON — The Dodgers were nearly out of a period that Manager Grady Little had likened …

KYLE HAS EYE OF TIGERS  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In what only can be described as a strange twist, the Tigers have an interest in taking Kyle Farnsworth off the Yankees' hands.  —  According to multiple sources, the Tigers are looking to make a deal that would bring Farnsworth back to the team he pitched 46 games for in 2005.