Dodgers deal Alomar Jr. to White Sox  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired veteran catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor-league pitcher B.J. LaMura on Sunday after designating backup Chris Widger for assignment.  —  A six-time American League All-Star …

Washburn sets sights on series win  —  Boston (59-37) at Seattle (46-51), 1:05 p.m. PT  —  On Saturday, the Mariners had their game clicking on all cylinders.  On Sunday, they will try to continue the momentum against one of the most exciting rookies in baseball.

Road getting rougher  —  Marmol latest starter to leave early as Nats rout slumping Cubs  —  WASHINGTON — The Cubs played Washington in the series finale Sunday at RFK Stadium, but after a 7-1 loss, it's debatable whether they actually showed up.  —  Nationals right-hander Tony Armas Jr. …

Rodriguez Is All Smiles as His Mistakes Mount  —  TORONTO, July 22 — The video board at Rogers Center is 33 feet high and 110 feet wide.  Each time he struck out Saturday, Alex Rodriguez turned his head toward it to watch the replay as he walked back to the dugout.

Gabbard sharp in losing cause  —  Rooker hurler impresses in his Major League debut  —  SEATTLE — Attempting to do what no Red Sox pitcher has done since Juan Pena on May 8, 1999 — win his Major League debut — left-hander Kason Gabbard ultimately came up empty, but through little fault of his own.

Notes: Turnbow on a break  —  Kolb set to step in if Brewers need a temporary fill-in closer  —  CINCINNATI — Dan Kolb hadn't gotten word yet, but he was ready to step in should the Brewers need a new closer.  —  Brewers manager Ned Yost said he would give Derrick Turnbow a break …

BEST BAD TRADE THEY EVER MADE  —  KAZMIR RIPOFF SPURRED AMAZIN' TRANSFORMATION  —  July 23, 2006 — HERE is a warning to Mets fans: You aren't going to like this column.  Your anger will not be enabled here.  Your frustrations will find no friend in the coming 900 words.

McGwire's Path Could Foreshadow Bonds's  —  Barry Bonds is the second-most-prolific home run hitter, but his eventual place in baseball history will be difficult to predict.  How much will he be remembered for hitting more than 700 homers and how much will he be remembered for how he might have accumulated some of them?

Notes: Kendrick gets start at third base  —  Angels looking for a way to get youngster more at-bats  —  KANSAS CITY — The Angels had a new third baseman Sunday, but did not make a trade.  —  Howie Kendrick, who had been taking ground balls at third base, made his first start there against the Royals.

Marlins not looking to deal Willis  —  MIAMI (AP) — The Florida Marlins say they aren't looking to make any deals before the trade deadline, and that's fine with Dontrelle Willis.  —  The Marlins' ace was the subject of frequent trade speculation earlier this season, but a surprising midseason surge …

The House That Steinbrenner Is Building  —  IT'S another June evening in baseball and the Boston Red Sox are visiting New York for the latest showdown with their archenemy, the Yankees.  As it is at every meeting between the teams, the stadium is packed and crackling with energy.