Mets consider calling up Pelfrey  —  Mike Pelfrey could make his major-league debut Friday night at Shea Stadium against the Marlins.  According to a team official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Mets are seriously considering a call-up of their top pick from the 2005 amateur draft.

Victory just out of reach; Nationals 6, Marlins 4  —  WASHINGTON — The ball went up and Marlins catcher Matt Treanor's initial thought was two outs, man on first.  —  Closer Joe Borowski figured the same thing Tuesday during the ninth inning.  —  Neither noticed Reggie Abercrombie …

Notes: Verlander needs fan support  —  Pitcher one of five players voters can send to All-Star Game  —  OAKLAND — Tuesday was Justin Verlander's last chance to convince fans he should be selected for the final spot on the American League All-Star roster.  —  Verlander, one of five candidates voters …

Mariners Notebook: Fireworks in Hargrove's office  —  DH Everett, manager exchange unpleasantries after loss to Angels  —  It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without fireworks, and so it was for the Mariners on Tuesday.  —  About 45 minutes after the game, designated hitter Carl Everett went …

Break point  —  School may be out for Baker and many on his staff during All-Star recess  —  HOUSTON — Dusty Baker and some of his coaching staff may have a restless All-Star break after general manager Jim Hendry announced Tuesday he will use the four-day break to decide whether an overhaul is in order.

Dodgers Bruise to Victory  —  Garciaparra ties record by getting hit by pitches three times as L.A. moves to within a game of first place with 10-4 win over Arizona.  —  This was retaliation of the finest order, accomplished with civility and an absence of broken bones, though maybe a minor bruise.

Angels need another slugger  —  The Angels are showing life, averaging more than eight runs per game during their four-game winning streak.  —  In other words, they might delude themselves again.  —  The Angels, 11th in the American League in runs scored, need to acquire a big-time run producer to complement Vladimir Guerrero.

GM Interview: Brian Sabean, San Francisco Giants  —  Last Thursday (June 28th to be exact!) we had the privilege of speaking with San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean.  Since Sabean became the Giants GM prior to the 1997 season, San Francisco owns the 2nd best record in the National League and 3rd best in all of baseball.

If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher  —  CLEVELAND, July 4 — Joe Torre continues to insist that the Yankees' fortunes depend on starting pitching.  But a team has to score runs to win, of course, and the Yankees have not done enough of that lately.

No dousing Rockies' desire  —  Helton's power surge helps Colorado gain share of division lead  —  Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis, pitching Tuesday night at Coors Field against the Giants, improved his record to 6-7 and lowered his ERA to 4.05 by allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings.

Maicer Izturis Settles In at Third  —  SEATTLE — The Angels won the World Series with Troy Glaus, the prototypical slugging third baseman.  In their scramble for a third consecutive American League West division championship, their new third baseman is Maicer Izturis.  —  Izturis has no home runs this season.

Nationals' new president to use experience, multi-tasking when building franchise  —  WASHINGTON — The question is hot dogs, and Stan Kasten looks on with incredulity.  —  Kasten, who officially will become president of the Washington Nationals baseball team soon, no doubt expected to expound …

Patterson Toughs Out 'Dead Arm'  —  By the time the Washington Nationals' 6-4 victory over Florida ended yesterday with Ryan Zimmerman's homer, John Patterson's day was long since over.  But the right-hander continued his slow comeback from a two-month stint on the disabled list …