Zito looks good enough to acquire  —  Barry Zito looked good pitching in the Bronx last night.  But will he look good pitching there, or in Queens, later this season?  —  Zito, who allowed just one run over six innings in the A's 2- loss to the Yankees, conceivably could be headed …

Frustrated Cubs fall further into abyss  —  As badly as they performed Friday in Wrigley Field in one more loss to the San Diego Padres, the testament of the Cubs' woes came after the 10-5 finish — from the visitors.  —  "It's a frustrating game,'' catcher Mike Piazza said after his season-best four-hit game with two RBI. "

Offense dries up in rain  —  Rangers' Loe blanks Red Sox before game is called in the bottom of the sixth  —  Last night, the Red Sox were fighting the weather.  They were fighting Texas starter Kameron Loe's heavy, biting sinkers.  Most of all, they were fighting the pace that the Rangers …

Carmona in, Graves out for Tribe  —  Indians hopeful prospect, Betancourt can help right ship  —  CLEVELAND — First, Danny Graves' hair was cut.  —  Then, Graves himself was cut.  —  The Indians designated the veteran Graves for assignment after Friday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers, giving them 10 days to trade or release him.

Willie to go with Gonzo  —  MILWAUKEE - Jeremi Gonzalez, whose big-league career nearly ended at Shea on July 24, 1998, makes his Mets debut tonight against the Brewers.  —  Gonzalez, who didn't pitch again in the big leagues for five years, underwent two major elbow surgeries …

Notes: Rumors fly about outfielders  —  Injured Matsui leaves Yankees looking for alternatives  —  MINNEAPOLIS — When Torii Hunter heard the news of Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui breaking his wrist, it wasn't something that really seemed to impact him.  —  But on Friday, the news took a much more personal turn.

Good as advertised  —  Prized Phillies prospect Hamels sparkles in debut  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Cole Hamels' numbers in the minor leagues suggested he was ready for big things.  —  His major league debut suggested the same.  —  The 22-year-old left-hander pitched five shutout innings on a raw …

Search is on for new left fielder  —  With Matsui sidelined, club will look internally for replacement  —  NEW YORK — Hideki Matsui will not be in left field for approximately three months, possibly longer.  That much the Yankees know.  —  What they don't know is who will be out there on a daily basis.

Nationals give back game in 11  —  CINCINNATI — The Washington Nationals have seldom lost a game in as excruciating fashion as last night.  —  In a series finale at Cincinnati, the Nationals took a three-run lead in the 11th inning after Chad Cordero pitched two brilliant, scoreless innings.

Tracyblah  —  What happens when humbling experiences fail to humble?  —  I've only been following the mess in Pittsburgh from a distance, not enough to monitor lineups or in-game maneuvers, but enough to see that whatever excuses there might be for the Pirates' losing …

Penny, Lofton lead Dodgers past Giants  —  Starter gets win despite leaving after five innings with stiff back  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Former Giant Kenny Lofton drove in three runs and winning starter Brad Penny battled through five innings despite a stiff lower back Friday night as the Dodgers shut …

Notes: Sore knee lands Mueller on DL  —  Dodgers start three rookies; Gagne mixes in changeups  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It's looking like last year all over again for the injury-riddled Dodgers.  —  They had to place third baseman Bill Mueller on the 15-day disabled list Friday …

Teams caught playing foul ball  —  Florida lost a game between the teams with the worst records in the NL.  It featured a brand of baseball that was fitting.  —  kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com  —  PITTSBURGH - It was the stoppable force vs. the movable object.

Notes: Building a DC team the right way  —  Nats' brass are holding a state of the team meeting in Atlanta  —  ATLANTA — New principal owner Mark Lerner and team president Stan Kasten were at Friday night's game between the Nationals and Braves, along with Lerner's two sons.