Losing turns ugly  —  Maddux 'good with' leaving Cubs; Jones confronts 2 fans  —  The All-Star evaluation period may have ended with no casualties, but the frustration continues to mount at Wrigley Field.  —  While returning to the dugout after grounding out in the ninth inning …

Notes: Patterson heads to DL again  —  Early diagnosis suggests Nats righty could be out for the year  —  PITTSBURGH — The Nationals placed John Patterson on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 10, because of a right forearm strain, and the team hasn't ruled out surgery.

Braves, Padres combine for 36 hits, 27 runs  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) - Adam LaRoche homered twice and drove in five runs, including two on an 11th-inning double, to help the Atlanta Braves to a wild 15-12 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in the highest-scoring game in Petco Park's three-year history.

Bittersweet victory for D-Backs  —  Estrada hits 2-run shot in 9th; Counsell headed to DL with rib injury  —  Spirits should have been high in the Diamondbacks clubhouse on Friday night after a dramatic, walk-off home run by Johnny Estrada capped a day that began with the announcement of a contract extension for manager Bob Melvin.

Notes: Belisle placed on 15-day DL  —  Right-hander feels stiffness and soreness in lower back  —  CINCINNATI — For the second time this season, Reds reliever Matt Belisle has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with back problems.  —  According to Reds trainer Mark Mann on Friday …

Traders Take Aim at Top Pitchers  —  As the Angels pursue a slugger in trade talks, they have discovered that their highly touted prospects are not necessarily the players most coveted by opposing teams.  With young, affordable pitching at a premium, potential trade partners tend …

Notes: Cabrera may be on way out  —  Whispered trade with Pittsburgh includes Burnitz, Craig Wilson  —  NEW YORK — General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that pitching prospect Philip Hughes is as close to untouchable as any player in the Yankees' farm system.  —  Melky Cabrera on the other hand, may not be.

Orioles send Cabrera to minors, recall Loewen  —  The Baltimore Orioles optioned struggling right-hander Daniel Cabrera to Triple-A Ottawa on Friday, hopeful the move will enable him to regain a measure of confidence after going six straight starts without a victory.

Midseason flip is more of a big flop … Cincinnati - It's beginning to look as if mediocrity was disguised as prosperity.  —  The Rockies opened the second half as a contender.  The standings said as much.  But the way they have played for the past week screams something else, something troubling.

Beckett aims to even series vs. A's  —  Boston (53-34) vs. Oakland (46-43), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  Josh Beckett and Barry Zito were selected in the top-10 of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, second and ninth respectively, and since, have had interestingly contrasting careers.

Red Sox fall in extra innings to A's  —  Rare Loretta error in seventh opens door to tough loss in 11th  —  BOSTON — In what Boston fans will hope is not a foreshadowing of the second half of the season, the Red Sox blew a late-game lead and lost to the Athletics, 5-4, in 11 innings on Thursday night at Fenway Park.

Warning to Rangers: Beware of Benson  —  BALTIMORE - If the Rangers know what is best, and that has not always been the case, they will have selective memory about Friday's 2-1 win against Baltimore at Camden Yards.  —  Kevin Millwood was good.  After missing one turn because of a biceps strain …

Salmon to Call It Quits Even if He's Short of 300  —  The farewell milestone suddenly appears in jeopardy.  However, even if he finishes one home run shy of 300, Tim Salmon insists this remains his final season.  —  "Sure, 300 is a well-rounded number," he said Thursday.

Jones' debut for M's a trial by fire  —  Prospect starts in CF day after being promoted  —  TORONTO — The number on the placard above Adam Jones' locker read No. 83, which wasn't accurate.  That was the jersey number Jones wore five months ago as a Mariners spring training invitee.

Over and way out for Beckett  —  He is the Bridgemaster, the Bombino, the man most likely to send you home with a souvenir if you are sitting in the Monster Seats.  Big league hitters, most of them American Leaguers, are takin' it to the streets at a record pace against Red Sox righty Josh Beckett in 2006.

South Side stove  —  White Sox heat up pitching market; Philly fire sale  —  A decidedly drab pitching market is on the verge of receiving a major shot in the arm.  The White Sox are sending out word that they're willing to trade one of two veteran front-line starters …

Ponson, Under Scrutiny, Stresses Keeping His Focus  —  It is generally a good thing to be a starting pitcher for the Yankees, as is now the case for Sidney Ponson.  But it is not so good to be with your third team in less than a year with your career and your behavior being evaluated game by game.