Reds acquire Cantu from Devil Rays  —  Pitching prospects Shackelford, Medlock sent to Tampa Bay  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds acquired infielder Jorge Cantu and outfielder Shaun Cumberland and cash from the Devil Rays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Calvin Medlock and left-handed pitcher Brian Shackelford …

Rays trade McClung to Brewers  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Seth McClung era is over.  —  The Devil Rays traded the talented but inconsistent reliever to Milwaukee late Friday for RHP Grant Balfour, who joins their beleaguered bullpen today.  —  McClung spent parts of three seasons with the Rays …

ON YOUR MARK  —  TEIXEIRA-TO-BRAVES WOULD MAKE THE METS SWEAT IN NL EAST RACE  —  TO some degree, the Mets' path to the NL East title became less arduous Thursday when the Phillies lost Chase Utley for around a month with a broken right hand.  —  But what if the Braves complete a trade for Mark Teixeira?

Source: Cubs interested in Payton  —  O's, Chicago engage in trade talks; Baltimore would receive two mid-level prospects in return  —  An industry source confirmed today that the Orioles and Chicago Cubs have engaged in significant trade talks regarding outfielder Jay Payton as the non-waiver deadline approaches next week.

Padres release Branyan, call up Hairston  —  HOUSTON — The San Diego Padres released utilityman Russell Branyan on Saturday to open a roster spot for outfielder Scott Hairston, acquired Friday from Arizona.  —  The 31-year-old Branyan batted .197 with a home run and 19 RBIs in 67 games for the Padres this season.

Saturday Update  — The Braves aren't willing to up their offer for Mark Teixeira unless they get more back.  While sources tell me that the initial discussion was based on which pitcher the Rangers got back, it's now moved to what else they might give up.

BARRY: A-ROD NOT IN MY LEAGUE  —  For most of the last month, Barry Bonds has been tossing verbal bouquets toward Alex Rodriguez, but the praise stops at a point.  —  "Is he as good as me?  Hell, no," Bonds told The Post when asked if Rodriguez was the best player of this generation.

Ripken Jr., Gwynn lobby for others … COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — One fringe benefit to making the Baseball Hall of Fame is the opportunity to lobby for former teammates and peers to join the club.  Ted Williams believed strongly that Dom DiMaggio should be in Cooperstown, and Mike Schmidt spoke up for Pete Rose during his induction speech.

Johjima, Betancourt get homers; Ichiro gets a hug as M's top A's  —  Slumping Kenji Johjima and Yuniesky Betancourt both homered, taking advantage of the only mistakes Oakland starter Chad Gaudin made in Seattle's 4-3 win over the Athletics on Saturday.  —  Johjima hit a two-out …

Anderson's disputed homer lifts Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — An 11-year-old fan helped Garret Anderson hit a big home run.  —  Garret Anderson hit a disputed three-run homer in the eighth inning to break open a tie game, Orlando Cabrera added a two-run homer to cap the seven-run inning …