Game 77: Mariners at Yankees (updated with Hinske audio)  —  YANKEES (44-32)  —  Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.38).  —  MARINERS (39-37)  —  Suzuki RF  —  Branyan 1B  —  Lopez 2B  —  Griffey DH  —  Gutiuerrez CF  —  Balentien LF  —  Woodward 3B  —  Johnson CF  —  Cedeno SS

The 39 strikeouts: Dodgers take series from Rockies with 1-0 finale victory  —  After striking out 17 Colorado Rockies in 13 innings Monday and 12 in nine innings Tuesday, Dodger pitchers wrapped up an almost dominating performance against their Rocky Mountain rivals, fanning 10 in a 1-0 victory today at Dodger Stadium.

Franco: ‘No leadership there’  —  (UPDATED) MILWAUKEE — Longtime Mets closer John Franco blasted his struggling former team in a radio interview this week, saying there is no leadership in the clubhouse and “too much individuality.”  —  Franco, who became the Mets' all-time saves leader during …

Angels run into trouble  —  Rangers cut AL West lead to a half-game on Hank Blalock's walk-off homer, his second of the game.  —  Maybe it was the oppressive 98-degree heat in the Ballpark at Arlington, but the Angels seemed dazed and disoriented for much of Wednesday evening …

Indians Prospect Faked Age, Identity  —  Major League Baseball has caught another high-profile prospect from the Dominican Republic misrepresenting his age and identity.  —  MLB's latest catch is Indians shortstop Jose Osoria, who signed for $575,000 last year on July 2.

Phil Hughes Time Has Come  —  Some thoughts on Phil Hughes, working out of the bullpen, via Peter Abraham today - … Here's some up-to-date stats for you...  Phil Hughes, in his big league career, as a starting pitcher:  —  28 Games, 621 Batters Faced, an Opp BA/OBA/SLG line of .265/.341/.436, and a SO/BB Ratio of 1.90

Dukes Optioned to Class AAA  —  The Washington Nationals sent Elijah Dukes to AAA Syracuse on Wednesday morning, saying Dukes was not a “finished product” and needed to play every day rather than sit on the bench in the majors.  —  The move came in response to the team's acquisition …

Dodgers make flurry of roster moves  —  Stults, Ellis, Jones optioned with Manny's return on horizon  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made a handful of personnel moves Wednesday, in part to prepare the roster for the Friday return of suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez.

Red Sox stage own comeback, beat O's in 11 innings  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — One day after being victimized by the greatest comeback in Baltimore Orioles history, the Boston Red Sox staged an improbable rally of their own.  —  The Red Sox used a four-run ninth inning to pull even …

Braves 11, Phillies 1  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Jair Jurrjens allowed his first hit with two outs in the seventh inning on a night the Atlanta Braves finally gave him some run support, beating the reeling Philadelphia Phillies 11-1 on Wednesday.  —  Jurrjens (6-6) began the night …

Webb will not have shoulder surgery  —  D-backs ace will rest, exercise, hope for September return  —  PHOENIX — Brandon Webb will not undergo right shoulder surgery and hopes to return to action in September, the D-backs ace told MLB.com on Wednesday.  —  On Tuesday, Webb completed …

GM Melvin intently eyeing trade market  —  Several obstacles in way of pulling off big Deadline deal  —  MILWAUKEE — The calendar turned to July on Wednesday, and Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was looking to deal.  That Milwaukee entered the month with a two-game lead …

Pirates sign third round selection Evan Chambers, 13th round selection John Gourley and 18th round selection Ryan Beckman  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates today agreed to terms with outfielder Evan Chambers, the club's third round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

White Sox 6, Indians 2  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Jose Contreras got a rare road win as the right-hander, shipped to the minors earlier this season, pitched eight superb innings and the Chicago White Sox won their fifth straight, 6-2 over the lifeless Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.

Post Game: Mets 1, Brewers 0  —  The Mets defeated the Brewers, 1-0, inn Miller Park this afternoon.  —  For a full recap and boxscore, click here.  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  Mike Pelfrey was brilliant this afternoon despite committing his fifth balk of the season …

Braves' Kelly Johnson reacts to benching  —  What's good for Martin Prado is not so good for Kelly Johnson, after manager Bobby Cox said Tuesday night that it was time to give Prado a shot at the everyday second base job.  —  But the numbers stacked up against Johnson …

BtB Power Rankings: Through Tuesday, June 30th, 2009  —  More photos » by David Banks - AP  —  The White Sox on are on the rise once again, largely on the backs of Gavin Floyd and the rest of this fine pitching staff.  (AP Photo/David Banks)  —  Browse more photos »

Yanks confirm Nady will have surgery  —  Right elbow operation certain to end outfielder's season  —  NEW YORK — Unable to avoid the inevitability any longer, the Yankees announced on Wednesday that outfielder Xavier Nady has abandoned his attempts to rehab his right elbow …

Trade deadline looms, excitement begins  —  October serves as baseball's platform month, the time when legends and scapegoats are made for the ages.  Yet for many fans, July can be equally thrilling and deflating.  —  Yes, welcome to peak trading season.  Friday, July 31, at 4 p.m. E.S.T., marks the non-waivers trading deadline.