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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Bell well-equipped for debut  —  Angels righty's family no stranger to big stage  —  ANAHEIM — Angels right-hander Trevor Bell will get an adrenaline rush, of course, when he takes a Major League mound for the first time on Wednesday afternoon with about 100 family members and friends …

Brewers baseball and neighborhood block parties are two Milwaukee summer traditions that have been enjoyed for years.  —  The neighborhood block party season is here and the Brewers have one remaining “Brewers Block Party” scheduled this summer in the Milwaukee area.

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.

Arizona Diamondbacks put Scott Schoeneweis on DL with depression  —  PHOENIX — Scott Schoeneweis has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks because of depression, less than three months after his wife was found dead at their home.

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 …

Calls, opener go L.A.'s way  —  (08-10) 22:50 PDT — The Giants and Dodgers were about to cross swords for the first time in three months, in a series that really means something, and manager Bruce Bochy made it clear he did not want his players getting “over-amped” for any three games in August.