Bob Sheppard, longtime Yankee Stadium announcer, dies at 99  —  Longtime New York Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard died early Sunday morning.  —  Sheppard died at his Baldwin, N.Y., home.  He was 99.  —  Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951.

Santana, Mets beat Braves 3-0 to avoid sweep  —  NEW YORK—Johan Santana saved the Mets from a sweep with another spotless outing and rookie Ike Davis hit his latest titanic home run in New York's 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.  —  Alex Cora and pinch-hitter Josh Thole delivered RBI singles …

Cahill helps Athletics down Angels  —  The Sports Network  —  Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Trevor Cahill threw seven innings and Jack Cust hit a two-run homer as the Oakland Athletics took a 5-2 win over the LA Angels of Anaheim in the finale of a three-game set.

Cuban will make pitch  —  Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking another run at buying a Major League Baseball team.  —  Cuban has emerged as a bidder for the Texas Rangers, joining forces with former sports agent Dennis Gilbert and Texas businessman Jeff Beck to make a play …

Jeter's salary drive and other key N.Y. baseball issues of second half  —  The Yankees refused to enter extension talks with Derek Jeter last offseason because, they insisted, it was their policy to wait until a contract ended before negotiating a new one.  —  That was a good alibi.

Source: Buck Showalter meets with Baltimore Orioles about managerial job again  —  Buck Showalter, the heavy favorite to become the Baltimore Orioles' next manager, met again with the team this weekend, a person familiar with the talks told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Phillies head into break with four-game sweep of Reds  —  The Sports Network  —  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Cole Hamels tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings, while Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge finished off the shutout and Philadelphia's four-game sweep of Cincinnati with another 1-0 decision.

Dodgers could be in payroll limbo  —  If divorce case of Frank and Jamie McCourt goes to trial, the club could spend another off-season not knowing where it stands financially.  —  Frank McCourt's financial situation could be up in the air for months if he and his estranged wife, Jamie …

Larry Beinfest: It's “hard to foresee” current Florida Marlins roster getting on a hot streak  —  Marlins baseball ops president Larry Beinfest just spoke with reporters about the first half of the season.  I'll have story on his comments later but here's a quick snapshot.

Twins salvage series finale with Tigers  —  The Sports Network  —  Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-3 with a two-run double and scored a run, as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers, 6-3, in the finale of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Hitting coach Sean Berry relieved of duties; Jeff Bagwell named as replacement  —  HOUSTON, TX—The Houston Astros have relieved hitting coach Sean Berry of his duties, General Manager Ed Wade announced today.  —  Berry will be replaced by former Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell …

Broadcaster Miller whiffs on Rockies' cheating accusation  —  The Rockies have finally begun to hit.  So the only explanation is that they cheat.  —  Giants Hall of Fame broadcaster Jon Miller lobbed that accusation in Colorado's direction last week.  Miller was doing his regularly scheduled morning bit …

Tillman, Orioles spoil Lee's debut with Rangers  —  The Sports Network  —  Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Chris Tillman overshadowed the much- anticipated Rangers debut of Cliff Lee with 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball, and the Baltimore Orioles recorded their first road series win of 2010 with a 6-1 victory over Texas.