Cubs land A's pitcher Harden in six-player trade  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.  —  The Cubs will receive the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin …

Giambi needs rally to win final spot  —  Yankees promote All-Star hopeful with mustache campaign  —  NEW YORK — First, it was the Yankees, spreading their rallying cry of “Support the 'Stache” throughout the Bronx.  Then it was the American Moustache Institute, officially supporting Jason …

Jeter's spectacular play helps seal win over Rays  —  Derek Jeter pumps his fist after the last out is made in the Yankees' 5-0 victory over the Rays Tuesday night.  (Newsday photo/Paul J. Bereswill / July 8, 2008)  —  Andy Pettitte had been so good, so dominant all night long.

FINGER-DIPPING PLAY-BY-PLAY  —  YANKEES radio announcer John Sterling is being called out for foul behavior in the stadium's press dining room.  “Sterling has made a habit of walking over to the dessert table and dipping his finger into the ice cream barrel,” one stadium worker told us …

Ex-Cat Perry could get call to majors in September  —  First-round pitching pick heading to Single-A Lakeland  —  The Detroit Tigers have told former University of Arizona pitcher Ryan Perry not to get too comfortable in the minors.  —  The first-round pick in the June draft is heading …

The Phillies-Bedard Situation  —  The Phillies-Erik Bedard situation is an intriguing one.  The details:  — As you know, the Phillies have had longstanding interest in the lefty.  Bedard recently appeared on a Philadelphia radio show, an odd choice given that he avoids the Seattle media.

O's squander late lead, fall to Jays  —  Toronto scores five runs off 'pen, prevails in ninth as O's drop third straight  —  Toronto - Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera sat quietly, head resting in his right hand as he stared into his locker after a crushing 7-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last night.

He's not a big name anymore but...  The Rangers are getting interest from other teams in outfielder Nelson Cruz.  —  Cruz, 28, is stuck at Triple A Oklahoma where he is hitting .343 with 26 home runs, 73 RBI and 80 runs scored in 80 games and 289 at-bats.  Cruz was once a big-time who was acquired in a trade from the Brewers in 2006.

Fuentes on Yankees' radar (BoSox too)  —  Colorado lefty reliever Brian Fuentes has drawn interest from the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, among other teams, according to an official from another American League team.  The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity …

Phillies deny Myers wants to be traded  —  Club refutes former closer wants to be dealt out of Philadelphia  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle shot down a published report that suggested Brett Myers has requested a trade.  —  Former Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico …

Alou targeting Friday for return to Mets  —  Moises Alou is targeting Friday for his return to the Mets.  —  After once again resuming his rehab yesterday from a strained left calf, Alou told the Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin, “There's a pretty good chance I might be up there Friday.

McGowan exits game with sore shoulder  —  Jays starter leaves after four innings, will undergo MRI  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays starter Dustin McGowan left Tuesday's game against the Orioles with soreness in his right shoulder.  The extent of the injury is unknown, but the Toronto right-hander …

Ozuna out, anger up  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — They've survived blow-up dolls, tire marks from the “Ozzie Guillen bus” and a bunch of hungry “piranhas” that just won't go away.  —  Yet, there stood pitcher Jose Contreras, hours before his team's 8-7, 13-inning marathon win at Kauffman Stadium …