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 …

Tired Pettitte still set to start  —  Andy Pettitte says he feels well enough to pitch, but there are those within the Yankees organization that believe the lefthander may be suffering from some fatigue in his pitching arm.  —  According to a source with knowledge of the situation …

Pudge day-to-day after collision at plate  —  ARLINGTON - Pudge Rodriguez suffered a bruised right knee after a collision at home plate with Texas' David Murphy, but the injury doesn't look like it will cost the catcher any time.  —  The Yankees said Rodriguez was day-to-day …

Ramirez homers again, Dodgers beat Cards  —  ST. LOUIS (AP)—Clayton Kershaw went right after St. Louis Cardinals hitters who had put up 15 runs the previous two games.  It turned out to be the perfect game plan.  —  The 20-year-old rookie worked seven dominant innings and Manny Ramirez homered …

Phils Get Eyre  —  We just caught wind that the Phillies have acquired lefthander Scott Eyre from the Chicago Cubs.  —  It appears single-A Clearwater pitcher Brian Schlitter was part of the trade.  —  Details to come.  —  Update: It's official.  The Phillies have traded Schlitter to the Cubs for Eyre.

Pirates sign 16th-round pick  —  The Pirates today signed outfielder Wesley Freeman, their 16th-round draft pick out of All Saints Academy High School in Florida.  —  He was named first-team All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association after hitting .478 with 35 RBIs as a junior …

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 …

Source: MLB investigating Manny's departure  —  Manny Ramirez has been on fire since joining the Dodgers, hitting .565 (13 for 23) with four home runs and nine RBIs in six games.  Make you wish he was doing that in a Red Sox uniform?  —  Or do you wonder a little about Manny's unusual final days in Boston?

Gillaspie, Marshall Sign Rich Deals  —  Wichita State third baseman Conor Gillaspie and Sterling High (Baytown, Texas) righthander Brett Marshall received lucrative bonuses on Wednesday.  Gillaspie, a supplemental first-rounder, signed for $970,000 with the Giants.

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.