Baker may be lost cause  —  HOUSTON — "Day-to-day'' is no longer a boring cliche with the Cubs.  It's the tense reality of manager Dusty Baker's increasingly precarious position.  —  Baker could be in his final days as the disheveled Cubs dived to 4-17 in their last 21 games with a 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

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.

Trade a plus for Hairston  —  ARLINGTON - Jerry Hairston Jr. had no grand expectations of how much playing time he would get when he was traded by the Cubs to the Rangers for Phil Nevin on May 31.  —  But he figured the situation would have to be an upgrade over Chicago.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Rookie taking struggles in stride  —  ARLINGTON — After taking a called third strike three times Monday night against the Blue Jays, Jason Botts was eager to get to the ballpark Tuesday.  It would be good to take batting practice, work with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, get in the lineup and crank out a few hits.

Notes: Torre says offense is bigger need  —  Manager sees outfield help as more important than pitching  —  CLEVELAND — With the trade deadline less than four weeks away, Joe Torre knows that a move or two could be made to bolster the Yankees for the second half.