Gammons stricken, undergoes surgery  —  ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons, 61, is undergoing surgery this afternoon for an aneurysm in his brain.  —  Gammons was stricken earlier today and was taken to a Boston-area hospital.  He is expected to be in intensive care for the next 10 to 12 days.

Notes: Struggling Bucs shuffle staff  —  Perez sent to 'pen; Vogelsong designated for assignment  —  PITTSBURGH — With the Pittsburgh Pirates mired in an 11-game losing streak, everyone from the fans to the players to the Bucs' CEO has been calling for changes.

Marlins' heat wave carries Olivo with it  —  MIAMI GARDENS — It seems like everyone for the Marlins has hit well during the team's hot streak, and catcher Miguel Olivo is no exception.  —  Olivo is batting.408 (20-for-49) through 16 games in June with three home runs and 16 RBI.

Womack demoted; Nevin next to go?  —  The Cubs sent second baseman Tony Womack to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, a move that could signal the beginning of a midsummer purge.  —  Manager Dusty Baker said Womack's demotion was made because catcher Henry Blanco had a sore neck …

Rays add Seo, Navarro in swap with LA  —  Hendrickson, Hall, cash sent to Dodgers  —  MIAMI — Mark Hendrickson, Toby Hall and cash went from the Devil Rays to the Dodgers on Tuesday, in exchange for right-hander Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named later.

Notes: Clayton on hot streak  —  Washington's shortstop looking for consistency at plate  —  TORONTO — The Nationals have struggled at the plate recently, but don't tell that to shortstop Royce Clayton.  —  Clayton has been on fire as of late, hitting .563 (9-for-16) with four RBIs and three doubles in his last four games.

Anatomy of a Tiger (Part 1)  —  Amid the continuing performance-enhancing drug scandal, Barry Bonds passing Babe Ruth on the all time home run list and yet another AL East race between the Yankees and the Red Sox, the season's biggest surprise has undoubtedly been the resurgence of the Detroit Tigers.

Call it a learning experience … MIAMI - Rookie James Shields has shown the Devil Rays a confident and aggressive attitude on the mound.  He has shown off a dominating combination of a fastball and a "power changeup" that allows him to breeze through innings.

REYES IS TOAST OF NL AGAIN  —  June 27, 2006 — MET NOTES BOSTON - Hope Jose Reyes enjoyed being named the NL Player of the Week last week, because he took the honors again this week.  —  Becoming the first Met in 23 years to win the award in consecutive weeks, Reyes won NL Player …

Cards skid now lengthiest in almost 18 years  —  Offering the definition of a slumping team, when the Cardinals hit, they don't pitch.  When they pitch, as was the case Tuesday night against the Cleveland Indians, they don't hit.  —  And for eight games now they haven't won.

Mets get a feeler for Floyd  —  BOSTON - The Tigers recently inquired about the availability of Cliff Floyd, but were told the outfielder was not being traded, according to two baseball officials.  —  Floyd has been on the disabled list for three weeks with a sprained left ankle, but could return this weekend against the Yankees.

Myers takes personal leave after assault charge  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies pitcher Brett Myers will take a leave of absence through the All-Star break, saying he has embarrassed his family and the team with his arrest on charges that he hit his wife in the face.

Hendry won't accept excuses  —  GM insists on better results despite youth, injuries  —  Dusty Baker will get "every opportunity" to turn things around, general manager Jim Hendry said before Tuesday's game at Wrigley Field.  —  But Hendry waltzed around the question of whether Baker deserves …

Notes: Chavez 5th in balloting  —  Third baseman likely to use time off to heal many injuries  —  SAN DIEGO — It's been clear for some time that none of the A's will be voted into the starting lineup for this year's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, and the lone player remotely in the hunt is slumping and banged up.

Whiz-kid Twins spin their wheels  —  Their hot streak is as impressive as it is frustrating.  They might not be gaining in the AL Central, but the team's youthful foundation is cause for optimism.  —  If they all keep up this pace, Joe Mauer will hit .632, the Twins will reach 120 victories …