A Computer Cracks the Cooperstown Code  —  Now that Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, fans the country over can return to the only thing they like as much as watching games: Arguing over who should join them in Cooperstown.

Dodgers, Indians Deny Reports About Lee, Martinez Talks  —  4:31pm: Kevin Baxter of the LA Times quotes a Dodgers executive saying there is “less than zero truth” to the rumors regarding the trade.  —  4:26pm: Rosenthal now says that both clubs have “strongly denied” the previous reports …

July 26: Pirates (43-54) @ D-backs (42-56); Yanks scouting Snell  —  First some new news on the trade front...  There may not be any biggest discussion/dilemma in the Pirates' front office right now than about what to do with Ian Snell.  One month ago, the right-hander asked for a demotion to Triple-A …

Game 98: Athletics at Yankees (updates with Gardner going on disabled list)  —  YANKEES (59-38)  —  Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 4.76).  —  NOTES: Thanks to Ernie Palladino for calling in the lineup. ...  The 1:05 p.m. game is on YES. ...  Oakland is starting LHP Dallas Braden (7-8, 3.40). ...

Vultures are circling to pick up the veteran Mariners pieces of this ruined weekend  —  OK, so maybe that photo above does show a bunch of seagulls.  But they might as well be vultures.  This Mariners team just left its 2009 season dead and buried where the 2009 playoffs are concerned.

White Sox 5, Tigers 1  —  DETROIT (AP) — Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer in Chicago's four-run first, Gordon Beckham added a solo home run the next inning and the White Sox coasted to a 5-1 win Sunday night over the Detroit Tigers and avoided a sweep.  —  Clayton Richard (4-3) …

Sources: Hurdles to Boston Red Sox deal for Adrian Gonzalez  —  Rival teams continue to call the San Diego Padres about the availability of All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez with a little less than 120 hours remaining before the trade deadline, and the Red Sox are among those clubs …

MLB trade: Blue Jays reject latest offer for Roy Halladay  —  The Blue Jays have rejected the Phillies' latest offer for Roy Halladay, a source familiar with the two teams' discussions told ESPN.com.  —  On Saturday — after the Phillies informed Toronto they would not agree to a proposal …

A little more information on Wang  —  Here's an update on Chien-Ming Wang:  —  When he got the second MRI on Tuesday, it revealed a possible rotator-cuff tear.  The question is whether it's a new injury or scar tissue from the operation he had back in 2000.

Angels' eight-game streak halted by Twins rookie Swarzak  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Justin Morneau (FSY) hit two homers, rookie Anthony Swarzak (FSY) shut down the Angels' potent lineup with 6 2-3 strong innings, and the Minnesota Twins ended Los Angeles' eight-game winning streak with a 10-1 victory Sunday.

BoSox involved in Halladay talks and more  —  When a team has deep coffers and a strong farm system, there are many alternatives from which to choose in late July.

Royals' Pena Jr. being moved from shortstop to pitcher  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tony Pena Jr. has hit like a pitcher for the past two years, so the Kansas City Royals plan to convert him to one.  —  Pena, who was the Royals' shortstop on opening day in 2007 and 2008 …

Dmitri done for season (maybe forever)  —  It looks like Dmitri Young's career, which reached such inspiring heights two years ago with the Nationals, has come to an end under upsetting circumstances.  —  Young, who has been on rehab with Class AA Harrisburg all month …