Cubs land Monroe in deal with Tigers  —  Experienced outfielder expected to produce against lefties  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Cubs, needing an experienced bat against left-handed pitching, acquired outfielder Craig Monroe from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday for a player to be named.

Red Sox Nation new king of the road  —  TAMPA — Terry Francona recalls walking into a hotel elevator in Baltimore this month, still smarting from a galling loss that night.  The Boston Red Sox manager was joined by two Sox fans, also guests in the hotel where the team was staying.

Reyes steals his way to the top  —  Mets shortstop breaks franchise's stolen base record in fifth  —  NEW YORK — Jose Reyes established a franchise record for stolen bases in a season on Wednesday night, when he stole third base on the front end of a double steal in the fifth inning of the Mets' 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Mets tumble to road warrior Peavy  —  Padres hurler silences Shea  —  The Mets handled Chris Young well enough to beat the Padres in Tuesday night's series opener.  They couldn't solve teammate Jake Peavy, the runner-up to Young for the top ERA in the National League.

Wells Headed To Shea?  —  When colleague Dan Graziano told me that Wells, the portly left-hander with the personality of a rattle snake, might be pitching here on Sunday night, it scared me.  —  After all, who wants to see Wells at Shea Stadium?  —  Apparently the Dodgers do.

Lester update  —  Red Sox lefty Jon Lester was sent down to Double-A Portland today.  Lester is 2-0 with a 5.67 ERA in six starts since being recalled from Pawtucket on July 23.  —  Lester will miss one start and is scheduled to return to start for the Red Sox on September 2.

Column: Hamilton loses season to wrong diagnosis  —  Clayton Hamilton felt the persistent pain in his lower side for more than a year.  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates doctors and trainers kept telling the right-handed pitching prospect that he had a strained oblique muscle, which has become the baseball injury of the 2000s.

Twin bill a day to forget for Orioles  —  O's yield 39 runs in both ends of record-setting doubleheader  —  BALTIMORE — On some level, the Orioles have to be pleased just to survive the night.  —  Baltimore saw its pitching staff get throttled on Wednesday like few other nights in franchise history …

Is Moose cooked?  —  Mussina looking older and shakier than ever  —  Mike Mussina pitched credibly enough for more than two months during the summer, keeping the Yankees in games he started while they straightened out their miserable season.  But he's been horrible in consecutive clunkers …

Outlook bleak without Sheffield, Rogers  —  Concern took a solemn step closer to panic Wednesday as Gary Sheffield walked to his cubicle with his ailing right shoulder wrapped tightly.  —  He hasn't been right for a while.  Missiles explode from his bat when the violent acceleration in his swing is there …

Streak over, Webb bids for 2nd Cy Young  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Now that his scoreless streak is over, Brandon Webb is setting his sights on something else: a second straight Cy Young Award.  —  Webb's string ended at 42 innings Wednesday night when he gave up a run in the first against Milwaukee.

Search for a CEO: New boss will be baseball person  —  Business side in good shape, says Nutting, as hunt takes shape and picks up speed  —  The Pirates' next chief executive officer likely will be a baseball person, possibly with current or recent small-revenue franchise experience.

The DRAFTYs: The 2007 MLB draft awards  —  With the Aug. 15 signing deadline behind us, it is time for this year's draft awards and "winners and losers."  For a more complete video analysis of the draft, please refer to my other articles on the draft:  —  Picks 1-10: Favorable analysis on Price, LaPorta and Parker.