Pelfrey's day comes at Shea  —  Prospect gets call; Pedro on DL  —  One Met ace is headed to the DL.  A possible future ace is headed to Shea.  —  A few hours before another win over the Pirates last night, the Mets provided some pregame intrigue by announcing - as expected …

Zimmerman delivers walk-off win in 11th  —  Four-hour marathon capped by game-winning RBI single  —  WASHINGTON — For the second straight day, the Nationals and Marlins found themselves in a slugfest in the early innings on Thursday afternoon at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.

Contreras promoted to top of Sox rotation  —  It's virtually certain Jose Contreras will be limited to one inning, at most, at Tuesday's All-Star Game.  —  That became clearer Thursday after White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen set his rotation for the second half so Contreras will open July 14 …

Damon is likely out 'til after break  —  CLEVELAND — The Yankees are anticipating they will be without Johnny Damon until after the All-Star break because of his strained right abdominal muscle.  "He may be out for the weekend, whether we're conservative or not," manager Joe Torre said.

Inner workings revealed  —  The breach in trust between Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino that led to Epstein's departure from the Red Sox, and how principal owner John W. Henry was able to persuade Epstein to return as general manager less than three months later, is explored in a new book by Seth Mnookin …

Cubs' silence speaks volumes  —  Players quietly go about their business as manager Dusty Baker is left twisting in wind  —  MILWAUKEE — It is a quiet place, with no music blaring and no one being overly raucous.  Televisions are tuned to the Western Open, players have a card game going …

Gagne May Face Back Surgery  —  Eric Gagne could be facing back surgery that would end his season and, with free agency pending, possibly his career-long affiliation with the Dodgers.  —  An MRI showed as many as two herniated disks in the relief pitcher's lower back, which could be corrected by surgery.

Introspective Unit  —  Despite dominating early, Johnson upset after getting hit late  —  CLEVELAND — For six innings, Randy Johnson looked like The Big Unit circa 1999.  He breezed past the Indians, allowing only a fifth-inning single to Travis Hafner.  —  But by the eighth he quickly morphed …

Big Papi is money — again  —  All-Star slugger goes deep twice as Boston avoids sweep  —  ST. PETERSBURG — After yet another monster night, David Ortiz, fresh out of the shower, looked to the chair next to him and saw a stack of $20 bills.  —  "Is that my money?"  Ortiz, a little confused, asked multiple times.

Nomar, A.J. named Final Vote winners  —  Dodgers first baseman, White Sox catcher join All-Star squads  —  Nomar Garciaparra and A.J. Pierzynski were American League All-Star teammates in 2002, the year that the Final Vote was introduced by MLB.com.  They did not have to rely on it to be selected …

Free to play ball  —  JUPITER — His name is Amaury Cazana Marti.  At least, the St. Louis Cardinals are pretty sure.  —  His age?  Depends whom you ask.  Marti, who came to this country from Cuba a little more than a year ago, insists he's 27.  Without a birth certificate or proof otherwise …

Rangers ready to move on  —  ARLINGTON — When the schedule requires you to play 162 games, you try to ignore people who suggest that a little slump means the house is burning down.  —  If the Rangers continue to contend for a division title, the primary reason will be their offense.  Everyone knows that.

Notes: Silent treatment for Thorman  —  Dugout ignores rookie after first Major League homer  —  ATLANTA — Scott Thorman's first career home run was followed by another big-league first for the 24-year-old rookie: the silent treatment.  —  In the sixth inning of Wednesday's 14-4 win …

Kasten Hopes Others Feel Like Soriano  —  Stan Kasten, incoming president of the Washington Nationals, said yesterday he was heartened by the desire of left fielder Alfonso Soriano to remain with the team beyond this season, after which he will become a free agent.

Minor leaguer Steve Martin dies in crash  —  CHILLICOTHE, Ohio —A minor league baseball player was killed in a car accident just hours after being released by the Chillicothe Paints of the independent Frontier League.  —  Steve Martin's car crossed the center line and veered off a county road …

Prospects Chat: Chris Kline  —  Q: … A:  —  Chris Kline: Hey everyone . . . and sorry for the delay.  Former BA intern Josh Cooper is in the house.  —  Chris Kline: Dewayne, I see Votto as a top 100 guy, certainly.  He's crushing, and I'm really looking forward to seeing a show in BP at the Futures Game on Sunday.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Win Column auction tonight  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers broadcaster Mark Holtz died in 1997 but his legacy lives on.  —  Cindy Kuster, Holtz's daughter, and her husband, Jeff, started the Hello Win Column Fund last year to support the American Cancer Society and Metroplex cancer programs …

From the grass at home to Yankee Stadium  —  Yankees star Johnny Damon is finally opening up about his pot-smoking past.  —  "It's part of life, it's natural, it's from the earth," proclaims the slugger, sounding like he's ready to give praise to Rastafari.

Notes: Intriguing prospect  —  Melvin reportedly trying to acquire Greg Maddux  —  rbraun@journalsentinel.com  —  Having entered play Thursday just 3½ games out of first in the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are in a position to be a buyer rather than a seller …