Rays down Red Sox again  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston and nemesis Tim Wakefield [stats] 3-1 on Tuesday night.  —  The win extended their lead in the AL East to 2 games over the second-place Red Sox [team stats].

This is confusing  —  The Yankees had a runner on first base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and were down 3-2 tonight.  —  Derek Jeter was on the bench.  But Melky Cabrera stayed in the game and grounded into a double play.  This would be the same Melky Cabrera who was 0 for his last 18 when he stepped to the plate.

Phillies option Myers to Triple-A  —  GM Gillick hopes righty can return to form by second half  —  ATLANTA — The Phillies optioned struggling right-hander Brett Myers to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before Tuesday's game against the Braves.  General manager Pat Gillick announced the move in a statement.

Red Sox might be wise to wash hands of Manny  —  Being Manny is one thing.  His latest gaffe is another.  Ken Rosenthal wonders if the man with the $20M option is worth the hassle.

NY Yankee Making Late-Night Visits to Madonna's Apartment  —  Us Weekly reports in its new issue, on newsstands tomorrow, that Madonna's seven-year marriage to Guy Ritchie has stalled out - and the singer has been hosting late-night visits from New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez at her Central Park West apartment in New York City.

A conversation with USA Olympic team manager Davey Johnson  —  When you sit down and talk to Davey Johnson, you get the sense that he could talk about baseball all day.  The former major league player and manager has spent almost his entire life in the game.

Reynolds to return as baseball analyst for TBS  —  Harold Reynolds, off national TV since being fired by ESPN in July 2006, is back working on national TV.  —  Reynolds will debut Sunday as a studio analyst on a special where TBS will announce the All-Star Game rosters.

Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal has another setback  —  After four innings in a rehab start at Las Vegas, he leaves game with tightness in his back.  He's headed to L.A. to be re-examined.  —  HOUSTON — Rafael Furcal's rehabilitation assignment lasted just four innings Monday …

What they're saying about the Orioles  —  A roundup of national media coverage  —  Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Orioles:  —  • NBCSports.com's Tony DeMarco says to count him among those surprised by the Orioles' record at this point in the season:

GM Trade History: Brian Cashman  —  Next up in our GM Trade History series, the Yankees' Brian Cashman.  Cash's current contract with the Yanks runs through this season.  —  Many thanks to Brendan Bianowicz for putting together Cashman's history, which can be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet here.

Q&A with Derek Jeter … On Monday, Gillette announced Derek Jeter has joined their latest “Champions” campaign.  The four-time World Series champion sat down with SI.com's Jimmy Traina after the event for the following Q&A.  —  SI.com: Now that you're Gillette's newest spokesperson …

Clock is ticking on Red Sox deal  —  SARASOTA COUNTY — If Sarasota is going to land the Red Sox, those leading the effort have about a month to make it happen.  —  Time is running out as the Red Sox continue to negotiate with Fort Myers, where they have spring trained for 15 years, for an expanded or new stadium in Lee County.

Melvin keeping “ears open” for trades  —  Phoenix - Brewers general manager Doug Melvin laughed this afternoon when I asked him if his team really was the leader in the C.C. Sabathia Sweepstakes.  —  “Just the same old rumors,” said Melvin.  —  ESPN's Buster Olney has ranked the Brewers …