Sources: Minaya's job isn't so safe  —  WASHINGTON - Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel received votes of confidence from chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon two weeks ago, the GM said Monday night after joining the Mets in Washington to watch their 6-2 victory over the Nationals.

Two years in making, Schmidt wins for LA  —  Righty lasts five innings in first outing since June 2007  —  LOS ANGELES — After a two-year medical ordeal and a blooper-reel first inning that prolonged the agony, Jason Schmidt pitched the Dodgers to victory Monday night.  —  And who thought that would ever happen again?

Phillies won't give up Drabek for Halladay … The latest word from a source familiar with Philadelphia's thinking is that the front-running Phillies have decided they will not include top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek in a four-player package for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay …

Game 93: Orioles at Yankees  —  YANKEES (55-37)  —  Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (4-1, 2.32 in minors).  —  ORIOLES (41-51)  —  Lineup TBA  —  Pitching: LHP Rich Hill (3-2, 6.92).  —  TIME/TV: 7:05, MY9.  —  STATE OF THE 'STRIPES: The Yankees have won four straight and 17 of 22 …

Bad blood spills over in Bucs-Crew tilt  —  Benches clear after Karstens plunked by reliever Smith  —  PITTSBURGH — Brewers pitcher Chris Smith claimed it to be unintentional, but the Pirates saw his plunking of Jeff Karstens with an eighth-inning pitch in Monday's 8-5 Pirates win as anything but.

Trade news: Team unlikely to move Qualls, more  —  DENVER - When Felipe Lopez was speaking with a reporter over the weekend, a teammate interjected.  —  “So Felipe, where you getting traded to?” he asked.  —  For a team well out of contention, talking trade is a popular pastime …

For NY Yankees, a new set of rules, new attitude driving success … NEW YORK — Out of the corner of his eye, Hideki Matsui caught the sight of several teammates frantically using their arms to make a tossing motion.  The gestures seemed foreign at first.  But as Matsui jogged toward the plate …

Greg Maddux: You Beat Lineups, Not Hitters  —  Greg Maddux beat everything, including Father Time.  Some point to his long tenure in Major League Baseball and say that his lack of velocity helped preserve his pitching arm.  What really helped save his pitching arm was brilliance …

All-Star recap and more first-round info  —  Back from the All-Star festivities in St. Louis and I have to say, they did a great job as hosts.  It's hard not to like a town that loves baseball that much.  From our standpoint (our meaning writers/media types), having the game in a more manageable city makes life a lot easier.

Lugo a Met?  Not Just Yet...  Several reports in recent days have indicated that shortstop Julio Lugo, whom the Red Sox designated for assignment on Friday, is expected to sign with the Mets next week.  The Sox have 10 days from last Friday to either trade or release Lugo …

Guillen: ‘I suck’ and am 'embarrassed by the money I'm making'  —  When Royals outfielder José Guillen goes off, as he did Monday afternoon, he seldom minces words.  That didn't change simply because he chose to go off on the guy in the mirror.  —  “I hate making excuses,” he said.

Tuesday Dish: Carlos Torres, Ike Davis Updates  —  Carlos Torres struck out two batters and allowed one hit in his inning of work last Wednesday in the Triple-A all-star game.  It was a fitting stage for the 26-year-old righthander, who seems to have put all the pieces together this season with Charlotte.