Yanks' seven-game win streak ends  —  Bombers unable to rally after Mitre falters against Jays  —  NEW YORK — Just as the Yankees spent much of their two-game series in Toronto last week playing the Blue Jays and dodging questions about the Red Sox, they spent their pregame hours Monday discouraging talk …

Moyer Unhappy, Feels Misled  —  Jamie Moyer did not answer questions about his demotion to the bullpen this afternoon at Wrigley Field, but he certainly spoke his mind.  —  In short, Moyer is unhappy and feels misled.  —  “I'm really not happy with this decision that the Phillies have made …

Mike Lowell comes off bench, but not to brawl  —  BOSTON - Mike Lowell, who entered the game after Kevin Youkilis [stats] was ejected for charging the mound and inciting a bench-clearing scuffle, hit two home runs to lead the Boston Red Sox [team stats] to a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Mets have a plan post-Minaya  —  PHOENIX - High-ranking personnel within the Mets organization believe John Ricco ultimately will emerge as Omar Minaya's successor as GM, the Daily News has learned.  —  Ricco, 41, joined the organization as assistant GM in April 2004 after spending 12 years working …

Los Angeles Angels release Justin Speier after extended struggles  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Right-hander Justin Speier has been unconditionally released by the Los Angeles Angels, four days after the struggling reliever gave up three homers in one inning.  —  Speier was 4-2 with a 5.18 ERA for the Angels …

Loney trying to get back on track  —  Los Angeles (68-45) at San Francisco (61-51), 7:15 p.m. PT  —  SAN FRANCISCO — With right-hander Joe Martinez starting for the Giants on Tuesday night, James Loney figures to be back in the lineup for the Dodgers.  —  However, nothing is guaranteed for Loney …

Report: Smoltz clears waivers  —  John Smoltz, the veteran righthander who was designated for assignment Friday after eight underwhelming starts with the Red Sox, has cleared waivers, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.  —  Smoltz, who won 210 games and saved 154 during his stellar 20-year career …

The Nats' GM Search Narrows  —  The Washington Nationals are narrowing their search for a permanent general manager, with Mike Rizzo, Boston assistant GM Jed Hoyer and Arizona player personnel vice president Jerry Dipoto emerging as the primary candidates, according to industry sources.

New York Yankees' Ian Kennedy throws off mound  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.  —  Kennedy threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday.

Wakefield to return next week?  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona just completed his pregame briefing during which he announced the following:  — Tim Wakefield will start for Triple A Pawtucket on Friday, with George Kottaras behind the plate.  If all goes well, Wakefield could be pitching for the Sox as soon as next week.

Rockies' Fowler has precautionary MRI  —  As the Pirates come to Coors Field for a three-game set beginning tonight, the Rockies are awaiting word on injured center fielder Dexter Fowler.  He underwent a precautionary MRI on his left knee this afternoon and is out for tonight's game.

A-Rod on fire since caught kissing actress Kate Hudson at Yankee Stadium  —  A-Rod may have a new lucky charm.  —  The Yankee slugger's latest girlfriend, movie star cutie Kate Hudson, loves to cheer him on from the stands - and he's been on top of his game ever since they went public.