U.S. baseball steps up security to fight fraud  —  MLB authenticator Tom Cunningham applies a hologram to game balls after the Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox American League MLB baseball game in Chicago August 8, 2008.  At the end of the White Sox game, Cunningham assigns each game-used item …

Hello, Barry, this is Drayton.  —  The Astros need a left fielder.  I know the name of a good one.  He's rested and ready.  He'll bring a buzz to the ballpark, too.  He'd suddenly make the Astros baseball's most interesting team.  —  What's wrong with having a little buzz?

It's Getting Late Early for the 2008 Yankees  —  It was Yogi Berra, talking about the shadows in left field at Yankee Stadium, who is credited with this famous phrase: “It gets late early out there.”  So it is with the 2008 Yankees.  —  It is never wise to count the Yankees out.

Wakefield (shoulder) to DL; Youkilis (shoulder) a late scratch  —  CHICAGO — Tim Wakefield is going on the disabled list with a stiff, tight right shoulder.  His next start was scheduled for the homestand opener on Tuesday.  A replacement has yet to be named.

Kennedy takes heat for comments  —  Yanks starter said he was ‘just not real upset’ after Friday's loss  —  ANAHEIM — Criticism came howling after Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy on Saturday morning, and little of it in response to the way he pitched.  Far more troubling were Kennedy's postgame comments …

Pirates passing Reds in pace of rebuilding  —  Deals net Pittsburgh bounty of talent  —  So, which team do you think will get to .500 first ?  The Reds or the Pirates?  —  Cincinnati fans know all about Pittsburgh's baseball team, which has been struggling almost since the Reds beat …

Diamondbacks 2B Hudson leaves game  —  PHOENIX (TICKER) —Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson left Saturday's 11-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning with a dislocated left wrist and may miss the remainder of the season.  —  After Brian McCann laced an RBI single …

Liriano lifts Twins into first on fiery night  —  Hurler tosses 5 2/3 strong innings; tempers flare in big sixth  —  KANSAS CITY — Maybe Ron Gardenhire is right.  With these Twins, Royals games will always somehow make for entertaining rides.  —  That much seemed obvious Saturday …

Rox to drop Wells from roster  —  All's Wells that didn't end well.  —  Kip Wells' career as a Rockie expired Saturday night, the final chapter in an experiment that never worked for the pitcher or the team.  —  The Rockies told Wells that he will be the roster casualty to make room for Livan Hernandez …

MANNY'S REVENGE: EYES BX.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Having successfully orchestrated his divorce from Boston and his landing in with the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez would like to make life miserable for the Red Sox during the next few seasons.  —  According to people who have spoken …

Carlos Silva calls out teammates  —  What came a half-inning later...  The wall of silence that has so often surrounded happenings inside the Mariners' clubhouse was finally shattered on Friday night by the frustrated voice of Carlos Silva.  —  His anger evident, fresh off a listless …