Phils acquire Blanton, send 3 minor leaguers to A's … The Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton.  Blanton is 5-12 this season after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season.  —  The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas …

Yankees reportedly sign Sexson  —  Slugger provides power against left-handed pitching  —  NEW YORK — Looking to add some thump to their lineup against left-handed pitching, the Yankees have added slugger Richie Sexson for the remainder of the season, according to multiple reports.

Marlins left-hander Andrew Miller sidelined by knee tendinitis  —  MIAMI GARDENS — The Marlins overcame injuries to go into the All-Star break just 112 games out of first place in the National League East.  But if they hope to reach the playoffs, they'll have to overcome more injuries.

Liriano to file grievance against Twins  —  Lefty believes he should have been called up to Majors by now  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The agent for Francisco Liriano has reportedly gotten the players' union to agree to investigate whether the Twins have violated the collective bargaining agreement by keeping Liriano at Triple-A Rochester.

Church's slow return clouding Mets' plans  —  CINCINNATI - Ryan Church won't be activated Tuesday, when he's eligible to return from the DL, muddying the Mets' trading-deadline plans.  Mets officials insisted Church didn't have a setback with what they have concluded was migraine-related dizziness and fatigue.

Foot injury knocks El Duque out of B-Mets game  —  Orlando Hernandez cited a foot injury as the reason he exited after just one inning Thursday in the Binghamton Mets game against Connecticut at NYSEG Stadium.  —  Hernandez, making his fourth minor-league rehab start and first with the B-Mets, gave up two runs in the first inning.

Wagner making a statement to Phillies  —  New York (52-44) at Cincinnati (46-51), Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET  —  CINCINNATI — The first part of Billy Wagner's latest proclamation clearly was directed at the Phillies.  —  “We've got their attention,” Wagner said.  —  A challenge masquerading as an observation is what it was.

Can Billy Wagner Close a Big Game?  —  It is not surprising that Billy Wagner pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to save New York's 10-8 victory over Cincinnati Thursday night.  After all, since coming to the Mets, Wagner has been one of the most automatic closers in baseball, converting 87 percent of his save opportunities.

Kelly signs, volunteers to play two positions  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - The University of Tennessee lost a quarterback yesterday, while the Red Sox gained a shortstop.  Or a pitcher.  Or both.  —  The Sox signed their No. 1 draft pick, Casey Kelly, a two-sport star at Sarasota (Fla.) …

Get ready for Burnett trade talk  —  Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees on July 13, 2008, at the Rogers Centre.  The Jays won 4-1 to take the series 2-1.  —  'I enjoy being a Blue Jay and that's where I'm at.  That's where I plan on being,' pitcher says

He's back with a bang  —  Ortiz hits a homer in Pawtucket rehab  —  David Ortiz may have been feeling bottled up before the game by all those autograph requests in milk containers.  (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. - The sellout crowd brayed a mighty, encouraging “Papi!  Papi!

Notes: Flores to return  —  FLORES TO RETURN  —  The Cardinals will activate Randy Flores from the 15-day disabled list in time for tonight's game, and to make room in the bullpen for the lefty the club optioned Chris Perez to Class AAA Memphis after Thursday's game.