Soriano's suitors  —  Angels lock in on Nats slugger; is Milledge available?  —  The Los Angeles Angels may be in last place at the moment, but during a season where just about everyone's in a race (or thinks they are), the Angels are one of about 24 buyers.

Baseball brain trust: Canseco's allegations rate as 'nonsense'  —  Major League Baseball on Tuesday took a stand against admitted steroid user Jose Canseco, calling the former slugger's allegations that the league might be playing favorites with some big-name players when it comes to positive drug tests "complete nonsense."

Cubs GM Hendry to mull Baker's future over break  —  The Dusty Baker era could be entering its final days with the Chicago Cubs.  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry told Chicago reporters Tuesday he would use the four-day All-Star break to decide whether an overhaul, which could include firing manager Baker, is in order.

YANKS DISPLAY DIREWORKS  —  TRIBE LIGHTS UP BOMBERS IN 19-1 THRASHING  —  July 5, 2006 — CLEVELAND - A year ago, he was a welcomed life raft in a turbulent sea.  Today Shawn Chacon is a cement shoe attached to a body that is slowly sinking into the muck of a dirty river.

Johnson back on the hill for Sox  —  Boston (50-31) at Tampa Bay (37-47), 7:15 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox aim to end the first half with a bang after spending 80 of 91 days this year in first place in the American League East.  —  Meanwhile, Boston's Jason Johnson is searching for his first win …

Angels offense comes alive in Seattle  —  Halos pound out 15 hits, including two Rivera homers  —  SEATTLE — If the Angels are to find some offensive rhythm, they must wean themselves off their dependence of Vladimir Guerrero.  —  Manager Mike Scioscia believes his team must perform throughout …

Next test for Pedro hip today  —  Pedro Martinez will test his inflamed right hip by tossing a baseball again today, after which a decision on Saturday's scheduled start will be made.  The prudent move appears to be placing the ace on the disabled list rather than having him face the Marlins.

Fenway Park Strategy Guide: Favorite moment  —  My first game at Fenway Park was two years ago.  I was on a date with this beautiful girl.  We went to Boston Beer Works, had a bit too much to drink, bought overpriced tickets from a scalper and watched the Red Sox get thrashed by the Yankees.

Sheets to make rehab start on Sunday  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Right-hander Ben Sheets is scheduled to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation stint with a start for the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate on Sunday.  —  Sheets, who has missed most of this season with tendinitis in his shoulder …

Sox taken deep Schilling is lit up for three homers  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Walk into the Devil Rays' clubhouse, canvass the room, and you will walk out with this conclusion: Personal feelings aside, there remains immense respect for 39-year-old Curt Schilling.

Is the AL Really Superior?  (Part 1)  —  Conventional wisdom has it that the American League is (by far) the better league.  This notion is based largely on anecdotal evidence (and win-loss records in interleague play, the All-Star games, and the World Series), as far as I am aware.

Talking baseball with Tommy  —  You don't have to be a Dodgers fan to like Tommy Lasorda.  You just have to like baseball.  Indeed, it's hard to get anything but a smile from a fellow fan with the mere mention of his name.  The guy is baseball.  That said, Lasorda is nothing …

Padres-Phillies Preview  —  With the way the Philadelphia Phillies are dominating the San Diego Padres , they may want to have the Padres join the NL East to help them get back in the division race.  —  The Phillies look to win their 12th straight game over San Diego as their three …

Birds seek more early scoring  —  ATLANTA — The Cardinals' offense more closely resembles the form it had last year than does its pitching counterpart, but manager Tony La Russa is among those who believe his team's hitting could stand improvement as well.  —  "There are two ways to gauge it," he said.

Braves trying to avoid a 'funny mark' … The look on Braves manager Bobby Cox's face was unmistakable.  After another reliever (Jorge Sosa) had blown another save, resulting in another crushing defeat, Cox sat motionless on the bench at Yankee Stadium as Alex Rodriguez's walk-off home run beat the Braves 4-3.

Peavy faces Phils rookie Mathieson  —  San Diego (43-40) at Philadelphia (38-44), 4:05 p.m. PT  —  Jake Peavy figures he's overdue for a break or two.  The Padres' ace feels he's bound to start watching bloopers fall in gloves, not empty spaces, and for his offense to erupt behind him.