Yankees not very bossy  —  They're in first, but fire is lacking  —  Team Checkbook — and I say that with all due respect — has not had as easy a time maneuvering itself into its current spot in the American League East a half-game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays as you might imagine.

Martino: Phils fight while Mets flop  —  The Mets sat in first place in the National League East when they made their initial visit to Philadelphia this year back in May.  Reminded of that fact then, one prominent Phillie smirked, rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah, we'll see about that.”

Interview: Pedro Martinez  —  Photo by dbking, used with a Creative Commons license  —  Future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, who enjoyed one of the great peaks of any pitcher in baseball history, recently agreed to take a few questions from me.  He did so as part of the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Summer Job program.

Foul call, then game, goes against Marlins  —  Inches from walk-off victory, Florida watches Phils prevail in 10  —  MIAMI — Near-elation turned into more frustration for the Marlins on Thursday night.  —  Carlos Ruiz belted a homer off Will Ohman in the top of the 10th inning to lift …

Mets owner: Minaya will be back as GM  —  The Mets' reign of error is set to continue into 2011.  —  The team's principal owner, Fred Wilpon, on Thursday said he is planning to stick with general manager Omar Minaya beyond this year, despite the threat of a second straight losing season.

Mets' Single-A team Savannah Sand Gnats to have fan light stuntman Ted Batchelor on fire after game  —  There are plenty of people Mets fans would probably jump at the chancee to light them on fire, with the season they've been having, like the Wilpons, Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel.

Maddon: This is why Rays need “a real baseball field”  —  After the Rays lost Thursday's game due in part to a ball hitting a Tropicana Field catwalk, manager Joe Maddon quickly made it a stadium issue, saying it showed why “there's a crying need” for a new stadium, a “real baseball field” to be built:

Cardinals looking at Andy LaRoche as possible trade target  —  » PNC Park general manager Dennis DaPra and other team execs closely inspected the outfield turf Thursday afternoon.  The night before, Andrew McCutchen pulled up a large divot when his knee slammed into the grass as he tried to make a catch.

Arencibia set to realize dream with Blue Jays  —  Catching prospect expected to suit up for Friday's series opener against Rays  —  Blue Jays fans impressed with the development of pitchers Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil, along with outfielder Travis Snider, will get another glimpse of the team's future this weekend.

No movement on Grandal-Reds deal  —  CHICAGO — It does not appear that the Reds and first-round Draft pick Yasmani Grandal are close to signing a contract.  Grandal, a catcher from the Univ. of Miami, was the 12th overall selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Petro Martinez feels Mets front office left three-time Cy Young winner hanging following 2009 season  —  Pedro Martinez won't say whether his 77th pitch in Game 6 of last fall's World Series was his last in the majors, or if he has completely ruled out a return this season.

The Other Bench Contributor in Milwaukee  —  It's probably safe to say Joe Inglett will never be a starter for any prolonged time.  The 32 year old recently filled in for Corey Hart during his absence, topping the 100 plate appearances mark during any given season for only the third time in his career …