Dodgers take issue with inside pitches  —  Kershaw, Torre, bench coach Schaefer ejected vs. Giants  —  LOS ANGELES — The Giants-Dodgers rivalry found a new subtext Tuesday night.  —  In a matchup of aces Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw, both Kershaw and his Dodgers bench coach …

Philadelphia Phillies GM hints about acquiring starting pitcher  —  There were indications Tuesday the Phillies were working on a major deal to acquire a starting pitcher in an attempt to save a season that has veered in the wrong direction this month.  —  The Phillies will need a starting pitcher …

Philadelphia Phillies' Jamie Moyer leaves start with strained elbow  —  ST. LOUIS — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer strained his left elbow and was removed after one inning in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  The 47-year-old Moyer is the oldest pitcher in the major leagues.

Ramirez's 3 homers powers Cubs past Astros  —  CHICAGO—Aramis Ramirez hit three homers and drove in seven runs to help Chicago rally to beat the Houston Astros 14-7 on Tuesday night hours after Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Lowrie might be activated tomorrow  —  Jed Lowrie was expected in the Sox clubhouse here at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum shortly.  While he will not be activated in time for tonight's game, according to manager Terry Francona, he's expected to take a roster spot tomorrow or in time for the Seattle series.

Downs the best available  —  The Scott Downs watch continued Tuesday night.  —  “He's the best lefty reliever on the market, I think they'll get something good for him,” said one scout.  “It won't be us.  They want too much.”  —  Downs has walked eight and struck out 30 in 39 1/3 innings as a set-up man for the Jays.

Harper: Mets don't need an ace, Jake will do … BEST OF NYDN.COM

Contact Us  —  Registration … The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Pirates starter Paul Maholm, an industry source outside the team said this afternoon.  —  There has been no indication from the Pirates that Maholm or any player is on the trading block, though they have acknowledged that they will listen to offers.

To trade Adam Dunn, the Nationals need to be overwhelmed  —  The Nationals have listened to teams interested in trading for first baseman Adam Dunn and other coveted players, but General Manager Mike Rizzo will have high standards for what accepts in a trade, according to sources familiar with his thinking.

Source: Maya signs with Nationals  —  Cuban pitcher Yuneski Maya signed with the Washington Nationals, a source told ESPNdeportes.com.  —  Maya, 28, is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., next week for a physical exam to close the deal.  —  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

D-backs give Gibby a win streak  —  PHOENIX—Barry Enright pitched eight effective innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks gave interim manager Kirk Gibson his first winning streak, holding on to beat the wobbling New York Mets 3-2 Tuesday night.  —  Enright (2-2) retired 14 straight hitters …

Yankees GM on trade market: 'Right now, it's dead out there for us'  —  NEW YORK — Though he has engaged teams in conversations about potential deals, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on Tuesday described the trade market as sparse in his team's areas of need.

Conte's products remain the word for Byrd  —  career year was rudely interrupted Sunday when twice he was plunked by pitches from Roy Halladay  —  . He gamely refrained from rubbing his thigh or shoulder, but afterward Byrd consulted with his trusted performance-improving supplement guru …