‘Bran-Torino’ takes a ride to All-Star Game  —  Inge, Victorino win epic contest in Sprint Final Vote  —  “Bran-Torino” is now a joy ride.  —  Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino are your choices in the dramatic 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote …

Phillies and Martinez Getting Close?  —  There is a very real chance Pedro Martinez will be in the Phillies rotation after the All-Star break.  —  The Phillies said today they had not signed the free-agent right-hander to a contract, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had no comment …

Midseason Top 25 Prospects  —  While subscribers can see a more in-depth look at the top 25 prospects and will get a listing of the organizations who have improved their stock and which teams have slipped, we do want everyone to be able to see the listing of the Top 25 Prospects at the midseason.

Melancon called to New York  —  No word on a corresponding move, but Mark Melancon has been called back to the big leagues and will join the New York Yankees in Los Angeles.  —  Melancon has not allowed a run in his past two outings, going a total of 5.2 innings with only one hit.

Pirates ‘pushing’ trade of All-Star Sanchez  —  The Pirates are “pushing hard” to trade All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, according to a National League executive this morning.  —  The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are two of the teams with which the Pirates have spoken …

Hanrahan earns victory on day off  —  Former Nats reliever credited with win in suspended game  —  HOUSTON — Pirates right-hander Joel Hanrahan was hanging out with teammate Adam LaRoche on Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia when he joked, “Well, it's time to get to work.”

Meet the all-time NL All-Stars  —  With the 80th Midsummer Classic approaching next Tuesday in St. Louis, I have chosen my all-time All-Star teams, starting with the National League today and continuing with the American League on Friday.  But here's the catch — I had to do the following:

Dodgers score early, often in victory over the Mets  —  Manny Ramirez has a pair of run-scoring singles and Orlando Hudson keys a four-run first inning with a bases-clearing double.  —  Manny Ramirez had a pair of run-scoring singles to key an early outburst against struggling starter Livan Hernandez …

Comeback story 'penned  —  Red Sox relievers cough up lead against KC  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  The Royals, a punching bag for the Red Sox [team stats] and most other major league teams much of the last two decades, arrived at Fenway Park [map] last night for the opener of a four-game series.

SHOPPACH HITS GRAND SLAM AS INDIANS EDGE WHITE SOX  —  The Sports Network  —  Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Kelly Shoppach hit a grand slam and finished with a career-high five runs driven in as the Cleveland Indians outslugged the Chicago White Sox, 10-8, in the finale of a three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.

Lots of money, mystery in international signings  —  A White Sox official was arrested last summer for bringing cash into the United States in his shoes, and cash has been rifled out of the pockets of Dominican teenagers.  The Washington Nationals had to fire their Dominican scouting coordinator …

Sony still game for ‘Moneyball’  —  Soderbergh out as director; Pitt still attached  —  Sony is still game on making the baseball pic “Moneyball,” tapping Aaron Sorkin to polish an early script by Steve Zaillian.  —  Brad Pitt is still attached to star in Columbia Pictures' adaptation …

Mariners Sign Baron  —  The Mariners have signed their highest draft pick so far, supplemental first rounder Steven Baron, a catcher from Ferguson High in Miami.  Baron, the 33rd-overall selection, received a $980,000 signing bonus.  That's $44,000 more than the estimated slot for that spot.

Mayor Bloomberg, Fireman Ricci, Pitcher Cone top S'mayor witness list  —  The witness list for Sonia Sotmayor's hearings next week was just released by the Judiciary Committee...  Three names pop out:  —  1. Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sotomayor's self-apppointed defender, a man who needs …