3 UP: Harden, Dunn and Pelfrey  —  1. A's GM Billy Beane has told me several times that he thinks the two most dominant starters in the AL are Seattle's Felix Hernandez and Rich Harden.  His proviso always was something like “when Harden is healthy.”  Beane knows...

Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com reaches milestones as balloting enters its final 24 hours  —  Outcome of tight American and National League races in doubt heading into the home stretch  —  NEW YORK — Over the past 24 hours, as fans continue to cast their votes …

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.

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 …

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.

Yankees Plan Promotion in Support of Giambi  —  Jason Giambi wore a mustache late in the 2006 season, but he did not keep it very long and it never became a phenomenon.  He was a man ahead of his time.  —  “The fans weren't ready for it,” Giambi said, but now they are.  “Just think, the Big G — a fashion icon.”

Byrnes likely done; Bonds to AZ?  —  Would you like to see the Diamondbacks sign Barry Bonds?  —  Yes.  Whatever it takes to win Boy, I need to think about that  —  No way!  —  WASHINGTON - With all signs pointing toward Eric Byrnes' season being over, the Diamondbacks …

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 …

Spilborghs' TV gig in jeopardy  —  MILWAUKEE — When Ryan Spilborghs came up lame rounding second base Tuesday, it not only prevented a run but jeopardized his trip to the All-Star Game.  —  He is scheduled to join Matt Holliday and Aaron Cook, having been given an All-Access media credential for Fox Sports Rocky Mountain.

DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL  —  Tigers' Matt Joyce rescues kitten  —  DETROIT — With the rain pouring down on Comerica Park Tuesday afternoon, a kitten took shelter among the wiring above the entrance way to the Tigers batting cage.  —  Tigers outfielder Matt Joyce, hearing the tiny black cat whimper …

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.

Tuned Out at Home  —  The Nats did not need insult added to all their injuries.  But that's what they've got.  —  Of all the stunning and unexpected sports statistics that we will ever see, few take the breath away more quickly than the assertion on Monday, in Nielsen Media Research data published …

THERE'S A CATCH TO POSADA  —  Jorge Posada insists he is healthy and that his once ailing shoulder is no longer an issue.  —  “I'm fine,” Posada said.  —  Yet for the third straight game, Posada started as the DH last night, with Jose Molina behind the plate.

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.