ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies survived another poor offensive showing, just a bit too late to reward Cole Hamels ‘ command performance in blazing heat.  —  Placido Polanco homered leading off the 11th inning as the Phillies ended the St. Louis Cardinals’ eight-game winning streak …

Right-handers Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren top the list of available starting pitchers  —  Here's one thing we've astutely noticed in our time covering baseball:  —  Nobody ever has enough starting pitching.  —  Ever.  But especially in July.  —  This is one July, however …

Resist temptation to trade Beckham  —  (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / July 10, 2010)  —  In long run, Sox are stronger if they don't deal him for short-termers Dunn or Fielder  —  Go ahead and dream, White Sox fans, about your new meaning of Fielder's choice being whether Prince wants …

Manuel's job in jeopardy  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PHOENIX — The other day in San Francisco at AT&T Park the interview area for manager Jerry Manuel was moved to around the corner from the clubhouse.  —  When Manuel emerged from the clubhouse and saw that his usual spot near the door …

Game 96: Red Sox at Mariners  —  The Sox will try and get on the right track at Safeco Field.  Here are the lineups:  —  RED SOX (53-42)  —  Scutaro SS  —  McDonald LF  —  Ortiz DH  —  Youkilis 1B  —  Beltre 3B  —  Hall 2B  —  Cash C  —  Pitching: RHP John Lackey (9-5, 4.65)

Baseball Using Minor Leagues for a Drug Test  —  Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it would immediately expand its drug-testing program by drawing blood from minor league players to test for human growth hormone.  —  Olympic athletes have been subject to blood testing for many years …

Constant lineup tweaks paying off for Maddon  —  Rays' offense has second-greatest run differential in Majors  —  In an ideal world, Joe Maddon would walk into his office, take a look at his lineup card and fill in two names.  —  The Rays' manager would have seven spots set in stone each day …

Angels Acquire Alberto Callaspo  —  Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star is reporting (via Twitter) that infielder Alberto Callaspo has been dealt from the Royals to the Angels in exchange for right-hander Sean O'Sullivan and minor league left-hander Will Smith.

Yankees recognize and honor the passing of Ralph Houk; wear armbands on jerseys for remainder of season  —  Ralph Houk passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday at his home in Winter Haven, Fla. To honor the memory of Houk, the Yankees will wear black armbands below the Bob Sheppard patch …

Podsednik says he'd like to stay in KC  —  The name of just about every Royal is being thrown around in trade rumors these days.  —  And as the team continues to slump, some of these rumors are bound to come true.  —  Jose Guillen knows this.  David DeJesus knows this.

Verlander, Cabrera help Tigers take down Blue Jays  —  DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera started a three-run eighth inning with an RBI double, and Justin Verlander settled down after a rocky start to go eight innings in the Detroit Tigers' 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez hits 599th home run  —  NEW YORK—Alex Rodriguez has hit his 599th career home run, leaving him one shy of becoming the seventh major league player to reach 600.  —  The New York Yankees slugger connected in the seventh inning Thursday night on an -2 pitch …

Marlins walk-off Rockies 3-2 to win series in Miami  —  MIAMI — A gentle morning breeze stirred the flags at Sun Life Stadium Thursday.  The grass was green, expectant.  The night's wicked storm was hours away.  Manager Jim Tracy, who has a place in Florida, sat back on the bench and enjoyed the moment.

Twelve Thoughts: Dodgers Ownership, Upton and Griffey, All-Star Bonuses  —  o.  Bud Selig needs to find a new owner for the Dodgers.  —  Time to make amends, commish.  You steered Frank and Jamie McCourt, the dodgy duo from the Evil Coast, into control of the Dodgers.  They've shown they weren't to be trusted.