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 …

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.

Money ball  —  One run is again enough as Red Sox cash in for victory  —  After yesterday's 1-0 win, Josh Beckett's American League-leading 12th of the season, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein approached the man he had signed to a three-year contract extension the night before.

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 …

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.

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.

PNC Park Threatens To Leave Pittsburgh Unless Better Team Is Built  —  PITTSBURGH—After five years of serving Pittsburgh as their state-of-the-art sporting facility, PNC Park, the home of the rundown, poorly maintained Pirates, said Tuesday it is threatening to leave Pittsburgh unless …

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 …

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.