Boss prefers Soriano over Abreu  —  When George Steinbrenner spoke Saturday about "a guy I prefer," reporters followed up with a question about Bobby Abreu, and the Yankees' principal owner spoke positively of the Phillies' outfielder.  —  But Abreu is not the player The Boss had in mind.

Phillies-Padres Preview  —  Adrian Gonzalez is finally living up to his potential.  —  Gonzalez seeks to maintain his torrid hitting since the All-Star break when the San Diego Padres try to complete a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park on Wednesday.

Angels 7, Indians 5  —  Box score  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Saunders pitched seven sharp innings in an emergency start for the ailing Kelvim Escobar and the Los Angeles Angels extended their longest winning streak of the season to eight games with a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

Blown call, rain delay prolong Mariners' misery  —  Yankees win, get new life on disputed play  —  NEW YORK — The Mariners have had more than their share of extra-inning games lately — three times in five games since last week's All-Star Game.  —  Seattle has lost all three …

One-hit wonder  —  Lester's superb 8 innings leads Sox shutout of KC  —  With starters becoming an endangered species — Tim Wakefield's cranky back putting him at least temporarily out of commission along with David Wells (balky knee), Matt Clement (sluggish shoulder), and Lenny DiNardo …

Prior feels 'great,' could pitch Friday  —  Rothschild: Pitcher looked 'very good' in side session  —  From the one-more-time department:  —  After throwing a side session Monday and proclaiming "I feel great" on Tuesday, Mark Prior is being penciled in to start Friday when the Cubs play in Washington.

Bonds faces possible grand jury indictment, MLB suspension  —  San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, who has repeatedly denied he knowingly used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, could be indicted as early as Wednesday by a federal grand jury for perjury and tax evasion, according to attorneys involved in the case.

Izturis Might Move From Third Base  —  PHOENIX — Cesar Izturis could move from third base when he returns to the Dodgers after spending the last two days with his wife and newborn daughter.  —  But it wouldn't be to shortstop, where he won a Gold Glove in 2004.

Rain delay gives Loaiza fresh start and win against Orioles  —  BALTIMORE - The A's have come to expect rain delays at Camden Yards, but manager Ken Macha dreaded this one, particularly with a bullpen running on fumes.  —  After a one-hour, 27-minute break that halted play in the top of the third inning …

Jose, Mets still in stitches  —  CINCINNATI - Jose Reyes, who missed six straight starts with a cut left pinkie, quickly got tested with a pair of sharp double-play grounders in his return to the lineup last night.  Reyes, mostly affected when catching balls, said Scott Hatteberg's second-inning shot stung …

O's, Phils discuss swap … Hoping to bolster their offense at the non-waiver trade deadline for both the present and the near future, the Orioles have discussed sending starter Rodrigo Lopez to the Philadelphia Phillies for one of their two expensive outfielders, Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell.

Giants could be looking to deal  —  The Giants are interested in trading for Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro, according to two major-league sources.  —  The disclaimer:  —  A third source with knowledge of the Giants' intentions says Vidro hasn't been discussed.

King could be next reliever to hit road  —  Colorado interested in Red Sox's Seanez  —  Pittsburgh - Ray King spoke with David Cortes before the latter left.  King told him to clear his head and welcome work in Triple-A Colorado Springs.  But with the clubhouse door revolving, King wonders if he's next.

Despite All, Nats Manage A Win  —  Escobar's Hit, Cordero's Save Offset Missteps: Nationals 7, Marlins 6  —  MIAMI, July 18 — By now, 95 games into the season, it would seem the Washington Nationals would know when to throw a ball and when to hang on to it.