Astros fire Garner, Purpura  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 37 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Astros, initiating a major overhaul, have fired general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner, according to a major-league source.  —  The move comes just two years after the pair took …

Mets' Wright eyes golden road  —  A six-game lead in the NL East isn't enough for David Wright, who feels that the upcoming road trip to Philadelphia and Atlanta is time for the Mets to prove themselves.  —  "(This) week is not going to make or break our season by any means …

Clean sweep  —  Red Sox complete Chicago whitewashing  —  CHICAGO — John Blake, the Red Sox media relations director, looked up from his laptop computer at the end of the fifth inning, right after Julian Tavarez had struck out the side for the first time this season, and casually announced to those within earshot, "Yankees lose."

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 …

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 …

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 …

Izzy gets 200th save as Card  —  The recent leg of Jason Isringhausen's journey to 200 saves as a Cardinal has more than rehabilitated his reputation as one of the league's most effective closers.  It's convinced him he can shoot for the milestone he's long sought.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Notes: Stansberry relishes debut  —  Barrett feeling better, aiming to return to Padres by Sept. 1  —  PHILADELPHIA — Craig Stansberry was never so happy to be lifted from a game as he was Friday night.  —  After two at-bats, he came out of Triple-A Portland's game at Tacoma and learned he was being recalled to the Padres.

Utley, Lo Duca to return for Phils-Mets showdown  —  The second-place Phillies have a chance to make up major ground in the NL East race when they host the New York Mets in a four-game series starting tonight.  And they'll have one of their best hitters back in the lineup to help their cause.