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.

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.

Saltalamacchia-Teixeira deal in the works  —  PLAYER OF THE DAY JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA Catcher, Atlanta Braves  —  Long regarded as one of the top offensive prospects in the game, "Salty" could end up having been the key to the biggest deal of this year's trade deadline.

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.

Nats near two-year extension for Young  —  PHILADELPHIA — First baseman Dmitri Young is close to signing a two-year extension with the Nationals, according to multiple sources.  The move would come a few days after the team signed infielder Ronnie Belliard to an extension.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Fan's thrown water bottle hits Piazza in head  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Piazza said he will press charges against a fan who allegedly threw a half-full water bottle at him during Wednesday afternoon's Oakland Athletics-Los Angeles Angels game, hitting the A's designated hitter in the back of the head.