Talks, tweets abound as Deadline looms  —  This is the way it works today, in July, Trade Deadline dead ahead.  —  One National League and one Boston scout were doing their normal coverage at a Cubs game in Washington.  The NL scout was sitting next to an enthusiastic Red Sox fan …

Reds rally to beat Cardinals  —  CINCINNATI — Zack Cozart hit his first major league homer on Sunday, and the Cincinnati Reds used a disputed call and a pair of wild pitches by Jaime Garcia to rally for a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  The defending NL Central champs got …

Martinez, Kendrick Lead Phillies Over Mets 8-5  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Martinez hit a three-run shot for his first major league homer to back a steady outing by Kyle Kendrick and help lead the Philadelphia Phillies to their seventh straight series win with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Phil Hughes gets first win as Yankees beat Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Phil Hughes pitched six effective innings to earn his first win of the season and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 on Sunday.  —  Brett Gardner had three hits Curtis Granderson finished with three RBIs …

Tampa Bay Rays more likely to take buyers stance as trade deadline approaches  —  The Rays are more likely than not to make a trade during the final two weeks leading up to the July 31 deadline for nonwaiver deals.  —  What's interesting, unless things change with a really bad start to this week …

Team says Cuddyer won't be dealt this season  —  Michael Cuddyer isn't going to be traded to a team in need of offensive help, a team official said.  —  The Twins have no plans to trade Michael Cuddyer this season even if they fall from contention, a team official said Friday …

Final Score: Phillies 8 Mets 5  —  The Mets lost to the Phillies by the score of 8-5 at Citi Field this afternoon.  —  For a full recap and box score, check out SNY.TV.  —  The Least You Should Know:  — Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets, and his uneven season continued with three …

Padres place SS Bartlett on paternity leave list  —  SAN DIEGO—The Padres have placed shortstop Jason Bartlett on the paternity leave list and recalled infielder Everth Cabrera from Triple-A Tucson.  —  The move was announced Sunday.  —  Bartlett is hitting .244 with one homer, 21 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 84 games.

Polanco sore after taking batting practice  —  NEW YORK — Placido Polanco's two days of batting practice have not gone well, leaving some doubt whether he will come off the disabled list on Wednesday, as scheduled.  —  “It's sore,” the third baseman told MLB.com about his back …

Freddie Freeman lifts Braves past Nationals 9-8  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman 's single to right field drove in Martin Prado from second base in the ninth inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 9-8 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.  —  Ryan Mattheus (2-1) …

Ex-catcher Hatcher makes history as pitcher  —  CHICAGO — If you are going to make history, Wrigley Field is certainly an ideal setting.  —  Chris Hatcher earned an intriguing distinction on Saturday afternoon, attaching himself to something that hadn't been done in 75 years.

Phillies looking for a bargain  —  The Phillies are telling rival clubs that they can add about $2 million in salary.  The amount makes sense, considering that the Phils' payroll reportedly is within $3 million of the $178 million luxury-tax threshold.  But the relatively modest sum …