Bullpen Melts Down, Nats Limp Into Break  —  The phone rang in the Washington Nationals' bullpen in the middle of the sixth inning, with the home team leading by six runs, seemingly coasting to a series-salvaging win over the San Diego Padres.  Manager Frank Robinson was on the line …

Schilling not overly concerned about elbow  —  CHICAGO — X-rays of Curt Schilling's right elbow were negative after the Red Sox ace was struck by Jim Thome's line drive in the sixth, the ball caroming more than 100 feet before landing in left-center field for a single.

Tempers are lost, followed by lead  —  NEW YORK — The Marlins have been the National League's hottest team since pitcher Scott Olsen got punched in the eye by a teammate and shoved against the wall by his manager during separate incidents in May.  —  They would like to think Olsen's latest altercation …

It's still Baker's team  —  Recent upswing and players' support could help the manager stick around in the 2nd half  —  MILWAUKEE — What funeral?  —  Sunday looked and sounded more like a revival for the Cubs and manager Dusty Baker after the team's third straight win, an 11-4 bashing of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Slammed players in an interview  —  KANSAS CITY, MO. — Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said he was speaking from frustration late last week when he criticized the team's play.  —  "I'd probably do it in a different way," Ricciardi said yesterday from his home in Worcester, Mass.

Hughes: Wait and see  —  PITTSBURGH - Phil Hughes isn't buying it.  —  Not yet, anyway.  —  Maybe he'll feel differently if July 31 passes and he still can wear a Yankees cap, as he did yesterday.  —  "You never know," the righthander said at PNC Park.

Notes: Red Sox show strong interest in Abreu  —  The Red Sox inquired about Phillies right fielder Bobby Abreu, but the talks apparently failed to progress — even though a rival GM describes the Sox's interest in Abreu as "very strong."  —  Here's why Abreu could make sense for the Sox:

Futures Game showcases Nats prospect  —  Manriquez has emerged as club's top catching farmhand  —  PITTSBURGH — One wondered who would be the Nationals' starting catcher if Brian Schneider ever left via trade or free agency.  In 2004, and last year, the Nationals/Expos didn't have anyone …

Sele outduels Schmidt as Dodgers win  —  Home team finishes first half on high note with close victory  —  LOS ANGELES — Another solid pitching performance by Aaron Sele propelled the Dodgers to a 3-1 win over the Giants, as the Dodgers closed out the first half of the season in front of 41,849.

... Low-grade team / The Pirates' owners aren't playing ball  —  A lot has been written and much has been said about the abysmal play of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  And it's not the usual fleeting barroom talk about the latest slump or the breaks of the game.  —  Fans are venting a simmering anger …

Sheets feeling good after rehab start  —  Righty throws three innings for Triple-A Nashville on Sunday  —  MILWAUKEE — It wasn't the prettiest outing but at this point, Ben Sheets will take any outing.  —  Sheets threw 65 pitches — 45 for strikes — in three innings, gave up three runs on three hits …