Winds of change after Chicago series  —  In the end, there was no lack of pizzazz in the Wrigley get-together between the Cubs and White Sox.  —  Funny how dueling no-hit bids can turn a game between two disappointing teams — combined record: 56-69 — into riveting baseball theatre.

Alex Gordon is apparently too good for the Royals  —  Alex Gordon has been destroying Triple-A pitching since his demotion last month, hitting .359 with 10 homers and a 1.128 OPS in 38 games.  He ranks second among Pacific Coast League hitters in batting average (.359), on-base percentage …

The Rangers are working hard to get Roy Oswalt  —  UPDATE: Buster Olney tweets that he's spoken with a highly placed Rangers source and that there's “nothing to it.”  Meaning my report.  I'll obviously keep looking into it, but at this point we've certainly got to say there are conflicting reports.

Former New York Yankees, San Diego Padres outfielder Oscar Azocar dies  —  CARACAS — Former major leaguer Oscar Azocar, a free-swinging outfielder when he debuted for the New York Yankees in 1990, died Monday.  He was 45.  —  The native Venezuelan died at a hospital in Valencia …

McNamee Says Clemens's Foundation Paid Him  —  Roger Clemens's former trainer has told federal authorities investigating Clemens for perjury that Clemens's nonprofit organization paid him for his training services, including the performance-enhancing drugs he said he provided Clemens …

Indians come away impressed by Strasburg  —  Tribe struggles as Nats rookie throws in triple digits for strikes  —  CLEVELAND — Manny Acta tried his best to bring Stephen Strasburg down a peg this week.  —  In the days leading up to Sunday's game, particularly those that followed …

Oswalt would OK Mets, but ...  Mets on Twitter  —  BALTIMORE — A player who is friendly with Roy Oswalt says the Astros right-hander would “definitely” accept a trade to the Mets if they remain in the playoff hunt.  —  But the fact Oswalt is still owed about $30 million through 2011 makes …

John Maine strong in first rehab start, hopes for quick return to Mets after stint in Buffalo Friday  —  BALTIMORE - John Maine began his minor league rehabilitation assignment Sunday, throwing four scoreless innings for Double-A Binghamton in Trenton against the Yankees' affiliate.

Troy Glaus: The new Chipper Jones or a one-year wonder?  —  Troy Glaus was supposed to be the one-year bridge to Freddie Freeman, but he has been much more.  He leads the National League in RBIs.  He has 13 homers.  He's hitting .290 for the season, which is astonishing given that he was at .194 on May 1.

Weaver brothers meet again in Angels-Dodgers game  —  Angels' Jered picks up a victory and strikes out Dodgers reliever Jeff in Sunday's game.  —  When Jered Weaver got the start Sunday, there was the possibility that the Angels' ace could pitch against his older brother.

Dodgers noncommittal about role of Vladimir Shpunt  —  Manager Joe Torre refuses to answer questions about the 71-year-old Russian healer who was paid by the McCourts to send positive energy to the team from his Boston-area home.  —  Dodgers Manager Joe Torre didn't want to be bothered …