Astros fire manager Garner, GM Purpura  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura were fired Monday by the Houston Astros, less than two years after leading the team to its first World Series appearance.  —  Bench coach Cecil Cooper was appointed interim manager …

Utley makes impact in Phillies victory  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chase Utley got a standing ovation, a curtain call and heard "M-V-P" chants.  —  Not a bad way to return from the disabled list.  —  Utley had three hits, including a solo homer, in his first game since having hand surgery one month ago …

Back in good standing: Sox relish opportunity for control of AL East  —  NEW YORK - It has been 12 years since the geniuses of baseball have been called upon to assign a "magic number" to the Red Sox [team stats]' run at the American League East crown.  —  But if the next three games …

Tigers chase Mussina, rout Yankees 16-0  —  DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander found his groove on the mound, and the Detroit Tigers rediscovered their stroke at the plate.  —  Verlander shut down the New York Yankees with his best stuff since throwing a no-hitter while Detroit roughed …

What the VORP?  —  Performing under pressure a big factor in MVP debate  —  Regarding your NL MVP candidates, how about those two guys in Florida?  Yes, the Marlins are not in playoff contention, but it's hard to ignore Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera, especially considering they're first and second …

Wagner ready to go after 'dead arm' complaint  —  Billy Wagner pronounced himself fit to close before last night's game, one day after he asked Willie Randolph not to use him because of a "dead arm."  —  Wagner played catch during batting practice, which he does every day, and said his arm felt better.

AMAZIN' BLUNDER ON BASES  —  The Mets are one of the most dangerous and aggressive baserunning team in baseball, but last night they got a little too aggressive.  —  They had a golden opportunity to get to rusty David Wells in the first inning.  But when third base coach Sandy Alomar Sr …

Wright Makes a Push for MVP Consideration With Hot Streak  —  At the beginning of last night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, David Wright had reached base in 14 of his last 18 trips to the plate, impressive enough without considering that Jake Peavy and Brad Penny …

Baseball directs umps to get games in  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball might have several more late shows as sequels to last week's 3 a.m. thriller between the New York Yankees and Tigers.  —  Mike Port, major league baseball's vice president of umpiring, said the game was started …

Rangers benefit by putting second first  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The more Ian Kinsler leads off, the more he thinks he might just like doing it full time.  —  And with his results lately, who wouldn't.  On Saturday, he hit a three-run homer and scored a huge run on a squeeze play.

The Denton True Young Awards  —  But I never knew why.  — Ogden Nash (1902-1971), Lineup for Yesterday  —  Did you know that Cy Young's real name was Denton True Young?  Yes, that's True.  —  Young was born in Gilmore, a farming community in eastern Ohio.

YANKS' TOP PICK TO HAVE SURGERY  —  Andrew Brackman, the Yankees' first-round pick in the June draft, has decided his right elbow will be better served by undergoing Tommy John surgery, according to agent Scott Boras.  —  Brackman, who signed a four-year deal worth $4.5 million that includes …

Ace can't avert sweep  —  Twins first to beat Bedard since June 10  —  Minnesota Twins reliever Carmen Cali threw one pitch yesterday and requested time so a divot in the mound could be repaired.  All it took was a little dirt, a shovel and a few extra minutes.  —  If only the Orioles could be repaired so easily.

Season over for injured Boone  —  CINCINNATI Aaron Boone's career with the Marlins may not be over, but his season is.  —  After consulting with Reds orthopedic surgeon Tim Kremchek, Boone has elected to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his balky left knee.  The procedure will take place Sept. 4 in Cincinnati.