Former New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox manager Ralph Houk dies  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox say former manager Ralph Houk has died.  He was 90.  —  Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani says Houk died in Winter Haven, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.  The team heard from Houk's grandson, who lives in the Boston area.

CUBS IN BRIEF: Brenly's hat in ring; Trammell biding time  —  Unlike the last two managerial hiring processes for the Cubs, in which general manager Jim Hendry had a top candidate in mind early, he says he considers this one wide open as he begins looking for Lou Piniella's replacement.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre not ruling out move to Chicago Cubs  —  LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Joe Torre says he's not ruling anything out, but he doesn't anticipate managing anywhere else, including Chicago.  —  Torre's name has emerged as a possible candidate …

Sox lose in 11 innings  —  Jenks blows lead as Mariners rally for 2-1 victory  —  Shortstop Alexei Ramirez holds on to the ball after colliding with Seattle's Ryan Langerhans, forcing him out at second base in the eighth inning.  (DEAN RUTZ, McClatchy-Tribune / July 21, 2010)

Michaels leads Astros past Cubs in 12 innings  —  CHICAGO—Pinch-hitter Jason Michaels delivered a two-out, two-run double in the top of the 12th inning and the Houston Astros hung on to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Wednesday.  —  Jeff Keppinger and Chris Johnson started the 12th with consecutive singles.

Leyland unfazed by Boesch's struggles  —  DETROIT — Since the All-Star break, the Tigers' offense has sputtered.  No one is feeling the struggles more than rookie slugger Brennan Boesch.  —  Prior to the break, the rookie owned a .342 average with 49 RBIs and 12 home runs in his 65 games since …

Thumbing His Way Back Home … Before we talk about sacrifice, or phantom blackbirds, or the Chipper Jones Momentum-Turn Hypothesis, let me tell you about the time Bobby Cox demolished a toilet with one bare hand.  —  It happened at Shea Stadium.  Braves shortstop Darrel Chaney slid into home …

This trip to Safeco a tad dangerous  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - If you thought the Red Sox [team stats] offense looked like it was running on fumes against the A's, try not to shudder at what's coming up next: four games in Safeco Field.

The Cardinals are the front runners for Roy Oswalt  —  A major league source tells me that, contrary to what we've all been hearing for the past several days, the Phillies are not the front runners for Roy Oswalt.  The St. Louis Cardinals are.  —  In fact, the Astros have been talking …

Jason Bay tries to find groove, create more offense for New York Mets in the middle of the lineup  —  PHOENIX - There are elements of Jason Bay's first season with the Mets that he is proud of, but the $66 million left fielder knows that his tenure has not yet been successful.

Longoria, Rays edge O's to take series  —  The Sports Network  —  Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Evan Longoria homered, doubled and drove in the game-winning run with a walk, as the Tampa Bay Rays held on for 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set at Camden Yards.

Whitey Herzog and Garry Templeton ... a memorable clash  —  As Whitey Herzog takes his place among baseball royalty, one episode in his colorful career was especially prominent in putting him on a Hall of Fame path.  It also represents one loose end that has never been thoroughly tied down.

Pedro says no to return this season but '11 still a possibility  —  Pedro Martinez has decided he will not pitch this season but he has not closed the door to pitching again in 2011, said a source close to Martinez today.  —  Several teams expressed interest in making Martinez a second-half addition …