Red Sox claim Giles  —  The Union-Tribune has learned that the Boston Red Sox have claimed Padres right fielder Brian Giles off the waiver wire, if only to keep him away from the two teams with better records in the American League.  Thus, Boston entered a 48-hour period in which the Sox …

Chamberlain Is Placed on the Disabled List  —  ARLINGTON, Tex. — Joba Chamberlain will throw again this season.  The question the Yankees cannot answer is when he will pitch.  —  The Yankees placed Chamberlain on the disabled list Wednesday with rotator cuff tendinitis …

Ranking baseball's ethical transgressions  —  Imagine a college course where students hang out with Ron Coomer in the bowels of the Metrodome, watch video of Lenny Randle on all fours trying to blow Amos Otis' famous squibbler into foul territory, spend hours debating nuanced baseball ethics …

Ryan Church may not return to Mets  —  It appears the Mets no longer have their hopes up that Ryan Church will return this season.  The right fielder has been out since July 6 due to aftereffects from a pair of concussions.  He has been evaluated several times, but doctors haven't cleared him to play.

Teixeira hears pleas of Orioles fans  —  Maryland native now focused on leading Angels to playoffs  —  ANAHEIM — Even from half a continent away, Mark Teixeira has heard the relentless pleas for him to come home.  The Severna Park, Md., native knows all about the online petition …

Pudge OK after collision at plate  —  Catcher day-to-day after suffering deep bruise to right knee  —  ARLINGTON — After Wednesday's game against the Rangers, a small statue of a baseball player was knocked over on manager Joe Girardi's desk in the visiting manager's office at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Ponson gets revenge as Yankees defeat Rangers  —  Pitcher Sidney Ponson improved to 7-2 this season after Wednesday's 5-3 win over his former team, the Rangers.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images / August 6, 2008)  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rangers didn't have to see Sidney Ponson …

Acquisition of Hernandez “good sign” for contending  —  With Livan Hernandez, perception could be as important as his pitching.  —  The Rockies acquired Hernandez on Wednesday from the Minnesota Twins, assuming the $1.6 million remaining on his contract without giving up a player.

Cubs think Cuban would spend to win  —  NEXT OWNER?  Players say it's not just about the fancy locker room — they think he might spend big to give team good chance to win  —  As the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban treats his players to a host of gaudy goodies …

Zambrano unsure he'll return to World Classic  —  Four of the biggest-name players in Venezuela have pulled out of next spring's World Baseball Classic over a team power squabble, dealing a possible blow to the stature of the fledgling tournament.  —  And a fifth marquee player from that country …

Bucs' Karstens near perfect in 2-hitter  —  PHOENIX (AP)—Jeff Karstens has given the Pittsburgh Pirates a perfect start.  —  Almost a perfect game, too.  —  The recently acquired right-hander set down his first 23 batters before Chris Young's two-out double in the eighth inning and finished …