The Mussina renaissance  —  For Mike Mussina, 2007 qualified as an annus horribilis.  —  After getting cuffed around for six runs over four innings in his first start, Mussina left start No. 2 in the third inning with a strained left hamstring.  A trip to the DL kept him out for the rest …

Manny Mania takes over LA  —  LOS ANGELES - Manny Mania is all the rage in Southern California.  —  Manny Ramírez is crushing the ball.  He says he wants to finish his career in California.  The Dodgers are getting ready to market Manny caps complete with dreadlocks.  The local media love Manny.

Pads' Giles likely to block waiver deal with BoSox … Brian Giles has indicated that he will block a waiver deal that would have sent him to the Boston Red Sox, and an hour before the deadline for making a deal between the Padres and Red Sox, it appeared he would remain with San Diego.

Postgame notes: Hughes set for 85 pitches Tuesday … The slider I thought I saw in the third inning was just a cutter with a lot of movement.  —  My own ignorance of the Phil Hughes arsenal aside, the guy pitched pretty well tonight.  His fastball touched 95 four times in the first inning, and regularly sat 93-94 most of the night.

Lambo Lambasting Lefties: Reverse Splits for a Future Dodger  —  Andrew Lambo is making a name for himself with the Great Lakes Loons.  Rapidly emerging as one of the top prospects in the Dodgers organization, the 19-year-old Lambo has been one of the best players in the Midwest League this summer …

Wins overshadow lack of homers  —  PHILADELPHIA - Take your pick as to the more amazing aspect of this week's series against the Phillies: That the Marlins failed to hit a home run in one of the most home run-friendly parks in baseball or that they did so and still won two of three.

Eric Hosmer, Scott Boras, and the Royals' quest to get better  —  In another world from here, in Farmington, N.M., Eric Hosmer is living out an amateur career that's pretty close to perfect.  —  He plays for the Midland Redskins, a baseball powerhouse that's the amateur equivalent of the New York Yankees …

Owners to discuss blackout solution  —  Baseball's territorial blackouts, the scourge of so many frustrated television and streaming-video viewers, will be eliminated for the 2009 season if Major League Baseball's executive council follows suggestions president Bob DuPuy plans on presenting next week.

Morton, Braves beat Diamondbacks  —  Promising rookie pitches seven scoreless innings for third win  —  Phoenix — The Braves don't score many runs when rookie Charlie Morton pitches, or lately when just about anyone pitches.  Thursday, they scored enough.  —  Barely.

‘50-50 chance’ Alonso could return to UM … Yonder Alonso could still be a Cane.  —  Alonso, a first-round pick whose contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Reds has have a snag, told The Miami Herald on Thursday he has signed up for fall classes at UM, and there is “a 50-50 chance” …

Answer Man: Mike Mussina talks New York, Orioles, economics  —  Before they go and tear down Yankee Stadium, the Answer Man had to get in at least one Q&A on the hallowed baseball grounds.  The victim was Yankees ace/smart guy Mike Mussina, who sat on the historical Bronx Bombers bench to talk …

Andy Pettitte likely to miss next start  —  ARLINGTON - As if the Yankees didn't have enough problems in the starting rotation already, it now appears that Andy Pettitte might be forced to miss his next start.  —  According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Pettitte …

Cubs trade Eyre to Phils for local product  —  The Cubs were able to get something for Scott Eyre after all.  After designating the veteran lefty reliever for assignment Tuesday, they were able to deal him to the Phillies today for Class A righty Brian Schlitter, a resident of Park Ridge and a graduate of Maine South High School.

Cards load up against hot lefty  —  You wouldn't think the Los Angeles Dodgers would be anybody's patsies, but since the beginning of the 2005 season, they are only 6-19 against the Cardinals and they haven't won a season series against them since 2003.  —  Furthermore, before today's series finale …