First-Round Pick Gerrit Cole Opts for College Over Yankees  —  When the Yankees drafted pitcher Gerrit Cole in the first round of the June draft, they believed that Cole would sign with them and forego a college scholarship.  It turns out that Cole has changed his mind and will go to U.C.L.A. instead.

Breaking News: Chris Russo has left WFAN  —  Two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary, the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show is no more.  —  WFAN announced early Thursday evening that Chris Russo is leaving the company, making Mike Francesa the sole host of the popular afternoon drive time show.

Newfound consistency makes Perez a key Met  —  If you were to rank the top reasons why these Mets have gone from doomed to (maybe) destined in the last two months, where would you place the surge of Oliver Perez?  —  Easily among the top five, right?  How about the top four …

Yanks set to place Giese on DL  —  Righty first injured in sixth inning vs. Twins on Wednesday  —  NEW YORK — Yankees right-hander Dan Giese has been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, the club announced on Thursday.

Huff clears waivers  —  Move enables possible deal; Sherrill to stay  —  CLEVELAND - Orioles designated hitter Aubrey Huff could still be traded to a contender this month, but All-Star closer George Sherrill can't be.  —  According to two baseball sources, Huff, who is having a resurgent season …

Youkilis Making Case For MVP  —  BOSTON — Since he arrived in Boston in 2004, Kevin Youkilis has always been serenaded by fans — home and road — with the simple, drawn-out cry of “Youuuuk!”  —  With slightly more than six weeks left in the regular season, a staccato, three-letter chant might be in the offing.

Hiroki Kuroda is sharp again as Dodgers sweep Phillies  —  Matt Kemp homers and L.A. remains tied for first with Arizona.  —  Manny Ramirez showed up at Dodger Stadium with his dreadlocks trimmed by an inch or so like Manager Joe Torre asked, and, sure enough, he didn't get a hit.

Kent thriving batting ahead of Manny  —  Second baseman, left fielder form run-producing tandem  —  LOS ANGELES — Jeff Kent believes seven games is too small a sample to draw any conclusions.  —  But since he's moved into the third spot of the Dodgers' batting order …

Ibanez, Washburn to remain with M's … Time expired on Thursday afternoon on waiver claims made on Raul Ibanez and Jarrod Washburn, and both players will be remaining with the Mariners.  SI.com has learned that the Tigers won the claim on Ibanez and the Twins won the claim on Washburn.

Jocketty: Reds ‘50-50’ to sign Alonso  —  Negotiations progressing, but sides far apart on bonus figure  —  PITTSBURGH — The Reds appeared willing to meet one of first-round Draft pick Yonder Alonso's demands, but still remained far apart during contract negotiations on Thursday.

Madden: As an owner, Hank's no Boss  —  Son of Boss Hank Steinbrenner has sounded the “wait till next year” rallying cry, and it sure looks as if the Yankees are heeding it.  What is curious, however - and, not to mention, very un-Boss-like - is that Hank is blaming injuries …

Mets take over 1st place, beat Nats 9-3  —  WASHINGTON (AP)— The Washington Nationals have the worst record in baseball, but the New York Mets played them with the kind of intensity reserved for the best clubs.  —  Brian Schneider homered against his former team and Carlos Delgado …

Braves' Jeff Francoeur: ‘I just flat out stink’  —  Mired in slump, right-fielder dropping weight, changing approach  —  As bad as it has been for Jeff Francoeur, he believes his season will not be lost if he can turn things around the next six weeks.  —  While sitting out two of four games coming …

Four straight HRs lift ChiSox by Royals  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Jim Thome's long three-run homer started it.  Shortly after he returned to the dugout, the parade really got going.  —  Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan Uribe hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning Thursday to tie …

Cubs sweep Braves  —  ATLANTA — A brief benches-clearing skirmish and only the second cycle in Atlanta history couldn't stop the Chicago Cubs from completing their first season sweep of the Braves.  —  Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano hit home runs and the Cubs beat Atlanta 11-7 on Thursday night …