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.

Tough to swallow — Sox can't stomach loss to Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Curt Schilling leaned forward in his recliner in the middle of the visitors clubhouse at Tropicana Field early yesterday afternoon, watching television in awe as Takeru Kobayashi gobbled down a record 53 hot dogs …

Midpoint Is Rock Bottom for Yanks  —  CLEVELAND, July 4 — The Yankees had better not believe in omens, because their first half of the season could not have ended worse.  —  In their most lopsided defeat in almost two years, the Yankees were humiliated Tuesday night by the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field, 19-1.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Boston women root, root, root for home teams  —  Red Sox, Patriots get lion's share of increase in female fans — and their buying power  —  The number of female fans cheering for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots has skyrocketed in the past five years, survey data show …

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 …