‘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 …

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.

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.

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.”

Vazquez injured, will miss Sunday start in Colorado  —  Braves officials hope to keep him off the disabled list  —  Denver — Even if Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez had been named to the All-Star team, a strained lower-abdominal muscle would have prevented him from playing in the game.

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.

Digital Eyes Will Chart Baseball's Unseen Skills  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As baseball's statistical revolution marches on, the last refuge for the baseball aesthete has been the sport's less quantifiable skills: outfielders' arm strength, base-running efficiency and other you-won't-find-that-in-the-box- score esoterica.

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 …

Marlins 14, Diamondbacks 7  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll's three-run homer sparked a franchise-record 10-run eighth inning, and the Florida Marlins stormed back from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 14-7 on Thursday night.

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 …

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.

Kuo takes aim at yet another comeback  —  After fourth elbow operation, lefty begins rehab stint  —  NEW YORK — Hong-Chih Kuo, whose future has been in serious doubt since he was put on the disabled list April 30 with another in an endless series of elbow injuries, was scheduled …