Sources: O's, Showalter close to deal  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  The Orioles are close to terms with Buck Showalter to become the team's manager, major-league sources said Sunday.

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.

Cubs head into break looking broken  —  They'll need a big turnaround in second half to contend in NL Central  —  Carlos Silva walks from the mound after being ejected in the second inning.  (Gus Ruelas, Associated Press / July 11, 2010)  —  LOS ANGELES — Before the Cubs ended the first half …

Bagwell named Astros hitting coach  —  HOUSTON — Former Houston Astros star Jeff Bagwell has taken over as Houston's hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry.  —  General manager Ed Wade said Sunday that Berry became “a victim of circumstances” as the Astros offense has sputtered this season.

Phoenix Suns close to acquiring Josh Childress, Hedo Turkoglu  —  LAS VEGAS - The Suns are on the verge of acquiring forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress, swiftly rebounding from the loss of Amar'e Stoudemire with two quality impact players.  —  The Suns would send guard Leandro Barbosa …

A New Role for Francoeur  —  Jeff Francoeur is used to being in the lineup.  When he was 22, he played in all 162 games for the Atlanta Braves.  As a 23-year-old, he did the same.  Never in his six-year major league career has Francoeur not been an every-day player.

Untested Derby cast offers plenty of intrigue  —  With five first-time participants, power display sure to excite  —  ANAHEIM — Prince Fielder won't be out to defend his title.  Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard will be taking a spectator's view for a change.  Even Josh Hamilton has taken a pass.

Conger's 3-run homer lifts US team to Futures win  —  ANAHEIM, Calif.—Mike Trout stole a glance up at the scoreboard and gazed around the stands, taking in the scene at the very ballpark where he soon hopes to play.  As a regular major leaguer, that is.  —  At 18, Trout was the youngest player …

Ricketts keeps positive outlook for Cubs  —  Chairman ‘having a great time’ in first season as owner  —  LOS ANGELES — Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sunday he isn't pointing fingers at anyone for the team underachieving in the first half and was still having fun in his first season as owner.

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.

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.