Homers by Stewart, Giambi rally Rockies past Red Sox  —  They rushed the field Wednesday night, players flowing from the Rockies' dugout into the mosh pit at home plate.  —  Somewhere in the middle stood Jason Giambi, smiling like a 6-year-old on Christmas morning.

Mets, Twins appear to be two frontrunners in Cliff Lee sweepstakes  —  Quite the outing by Cliff Lee yet again, leading the Mariners to a sixth win in a row.  By the way, have you ever seen a team have so much trouble picking up even a single game in the standings?  It's getting ridiculous.

Garza goes eight effective innings in Rays' win vs. Padres  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Matt Garza (FSY) pitched eight effective innings, Kelly Shoppach (FSY) came within a triple of hitting for the cycle and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Thursday.

Reyes shines on Seinfeld's big night  —  The legendary comedian was in the TV booth, and the Mets' leadoff hitter was huge … NEW YORK — On an evening featuring comic legend Jerry Seinfeld talking about musical sensation Lady Gaga, once again the fastest rising star in Flushing wore No. 7 and sprinted through the night like a comet.

Rangers GM loses bet with streak at 10 … Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said on an ESPNDallas.com chat Thursday that he will honor his bet with shortstop Elvis Andrus and dye his hair now that the team's win streak has reached 10 games.  —  “I was hoping he'd forget, but no such luck,” Daniels said.

Bobby Valentine the overwhelming favorite to replace Fredi Gonzalez as Marlins manager, source says  —  PHOENIX - Bobby Valentine may be taking his act to South Florida.  —  The former Mets manager is the frontrunner to become the new manager of the Marlins, who fired Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday.

Pirates Designate Dana Eveland For Assignment  —  The Pirates designated Dana Eveland for assignment, according to the team.  The club, which placed Zach Duke on the DL yesterday, will announce corresponding moves later today.  —  It's the third time Eveland has been designated for assignment this year.

Marlins To Sign Armando Benitez  —  The Marlins' search for relievers has led them back to Armando Benitez.  They plan to sign the long-time closer and assign him to Triple A, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).  Spencer notes that Benitez will likely be in uniform …

Gallardo perfect after five vs. Twins  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo's bid for a perfect game was broken up with one out in the sixth inning by Twins catcher Drew Butera's opposite-field single to right on Thursday afternoon at Miller Park.

Aeros players charged with assault in brawl  —  3 Indians minor-leaguers charged in downtown Akron incident  —  Three Indians minor-league players have been charged with felonious assault following an altercation at a downtown Akron nightclub that left a man with rib and lung injuries, police said.

Norris slated to start Monday for Astros  —  HOUSTON — Bud Norris will return to the Astros rotation Monday in Milwaukee.  Norris has been on the disabled list since May 24 with biceps tendinitis.  —  He threw six scoreless innings Tuesday night in his final rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock.

FREEWAY SERIES NOTEBOOK: Facing Yankees will be strange for Torre  —  ANAHEIM - Given that the teams have played just one three-game set since meeting in the 1981 World Series, the mere prospect of the Dodgers hosting the New York Yankees in a series that begins Friday might strike the baseball contingent as a little strange.

Mo's magic act in 10th lifts Yanks in Arizona  —  Bases-loaded, no-out jam escaped after Granderson's homer  —  ARIZONA — These are the situations that cemented Mariano Rivera's legend and legacy, those moments of impossible greatness where he has been challenged to escape stacked situations armed with just one devastating weapon.

LOWELL EXPECTED TO GO ON DISABLED LIST  —  Red Sox corner infielder Mike Lowell is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list (right hip) prior to tonight's game against the Colorado Rockies.  The move would clear a roster spot for pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is scheduled to start in Denver on Thursday night.

Strasburg's strikeout show not enough  —  Phenom sets another K mark in taking first defeat  —  WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg may want to hone his hitting skills, as a lack of run support is beginning to become an early theme to the righty's young career.