Oswalt wants to play for Cardinals  —  In search of an impact arm, the Cardinals are exploring the possibility of trading for Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt, and their chances are helped by the fact that Oswalt, a longtime rival, also has eyes for them.  —  The Cardinals are Oswalt's …

Alex Rodriguez of New York Yankees hits career home run No. 599 … NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez moved to within one home run of a plateau inhabited by only six other players in baseball history, the 600 Club, when he belted No. 599 Thursday night off Kansas City Royals reliever Robinson Tejeda in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium.

Weaver miffed by Angels in outfield  —  Though pitcher calms down, he was clearly annoyed by defense in loss at Texas … ARLINGTON, Texas — Jered Weaver came charging off the mound after the sixth inning, his right fist flailing wildly in the air.  He was mouthing something and it appeared …

Red Sox top Mariners in 13 innings, 8-6  —  Game over: Red Sox 8, Mariners 6 (13 innings)  —  Ramirez retired the Mariners in order.  What a nutty game.  Eric Patterson and Hideki Okajima are the unlikely heroes.  —  Back with more later.  Oh, and thanks for all the comments.

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 …

Source: Arizona Diamondbacks' Dan Haren more likely to be traded  —  As recently as a week ago, the Diamondbacks were anticipating having right-hander Dan Haren as a mainstay in their 2011 starting rotation.  —  But, according to a team source, that expectation has shifted in recent days …

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 …

Matt Cain sharp, Giants beat Diamondbacks 3-0  —  PHOENIX—Matt Cain pitched eight sharp innings in a combined three-hitter and the San Francisco Giants took advantage of the tired Arizona Diamondbacks for a 3-0 win Thursday night.  —  Andres Torres hit a solo homer off Rodrigo Lopez (5-9) …

Rob Dibble happy with TV gig  —  ‘I love the game more than I did when I was playing’  —  Former Reds closer Rob Dibble is outspoken in the Nationals' television booth, but he's learned not to be quite so off-the-cuff , he says.  —  “I've been in broadcasting for 12 years …