Braves trade prospect for Indians closer Wickman … The Atlanta Braves, looking for bullpen help as they make a run at the National League wild card, acquired closer Bob Wickman from Cleveland for minor league catcher Max Ramirez on Thursday.  —  Wickman, 37, is 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA and 15 saves this season.

Seething Hillenbrand sent packing  —  Refuses to sit in dugout with teammates Gibbons blasts DH in front of club  —  A furious Shea Hillenbrand lashed out at Blue Jays manager John Gibbons on Wednesday night after the team designated him for assignment.  —  Hillenbrand packed his bags during …

Contending Holes: American League  —  On September 27 of last season, the A's took the field in Anaheim, Calif. with their season on the line.  Having roared back from being over 10 games under .500 in the first half, the A's needed a win in the second game of their season-ending series …

Yanks do trick, not trade  —  Until yesterday, and the wasted vintage pitching effort by Randy Johnson, there had been nothing but good tidings for Joe Torre's Yankees this second half of the season.  And, more and more, there has been reason to believe the "scrub squadders" of Melky Cabrera …

Royals acquire Keppinger from Mets  —  Gotay sent to New York in swap of Minor Leaguers  —  The Kansas City Royals and New York Mets completed a deal that sent Jeff Keppinger to Kansas City and Ruben Gotay to New York in a swap of Minor League second basemen.

Rangers stop off in Boston  —  Texas (49-46) at Boston (57-36), 1:05 p.m. CT  —  John Rheinecker pitches in Boston today and he didn't do badly in his first trip to Fenway Park, holding the Red Sox to three runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings in a game the Rangers eventually won, 7-4.

Josh gets $30M deal  —  When Josh Beckett was traded to the Red Sox last offseason, Jed Hoyer, the team's co-general manager at the time, said it would be necessary to "date" the right-hander for a while before deciding whether or not to sign him long term.  —  The dating period ended yesterday …

Nats Left Wishing on a Star  —  Frustration Mounts as Kearns Struggles, Florida Wins Series: Marlins 1, Nationals 0  —  MIAMI, July 19 — For a moment, there was some hope, albeit in the most marginal of forms.  Florida Marlins center fielder Alfredo Amezaga drifted back …

No indictment for Bonds  —  Grand jury will continue to investigate charges  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors said they would not seek an indictment Thursday against Barry Bonds, but that a grand jury investigating the baseball star for perjury and tax evasion charges would continue its work.

MLB: D.C. Government in Default of Lease Agreement  —  Major League Baseball has declared the District government in default of the lease agreement for the new stadium, charging that the city has failed to meet several deadlines for turning over critical documents.

Wakefield out with stress fracture in rib cage  —  The Red Sox will have to make do without pitcher Tim Wakefield for at least three weeks, after extensive tests revealed he has a stress fracture in his rib cage, a source with direct knowledge of the injury confirmed.

Mets could trade top prospect for Zito  —  The Mets have insisted for months that they won't trade their top position prospect, Class AAA outfielder Lastings Milledge.  But a growing number of major-league executives believe that the Mets will indeed part with Milledge, 21, if they can get the right starting pitcher in return.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE  —  REDS IMPRESSED BY 1ST LOOK AT PELFREY  —  July 20, 2006 — CINCINNATI - There are other pitchers who are going to fire big-time heat to the plate, according to Adam Dunn.  But the Reds slugger said Mike Pelfrey's fastball is different.  —  "He's big and tall, and he's got a good fastball.

Bullpen Looks Good to Tomko  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers can only hope Brett Tomko's enthusiasm about moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen rubs off on Odalis Perez.  —  Tomko, who has made 143 starts in 145 appearances the last five years, will become a reliever when he rejoins …