Interview: w/ ESPN's Olney, on Zito and Mets  —  Last night, ESPN.com's Buster Olney was kind enough to talk with me for a Conversation @ MetsBlog to discuss the possibility of Omar Minaya trading for A's LHP Barry Zito...  ...to listen to this interview, click the play button below...

Manny's style works, A-Rod's clearly doesn't  —  As a public service to Tuesday night's partisan crowd in Oakland — and by that we mean the many thousands of Boston Red Sox fans — we provide this update on your never-ending conflict with the New York Yankees: Don't sweat it.

Nats ride early lead to fourth straight win  —  Anderson, Church knock two-run hits in big third inning  —  WASHINGTON — With all the trade rumors surrounding the Nationals, it gets lost that they are playing good baseball these days.  With the additions of outfielder Austin Kearns …

Yankees add backup catcher Fasano  —  Class A infielder Made sent to Philadelphia; Stinnett designated  —  ARLINGTON — Looking to improve their backup catcher position, the Yankees acquired Sal Fasano from the Phillies on Wednesday morning.  —  New York sent Minor League infielder Hector Made to Philadelphia to complete the deal.

Playoff bus hits a small rut  —  Mets drop 3rd in row as Glavine is hit hard and blows early lead  —  The cruising Mets hit a pothole for a third straight game last night, though the large advantage they own in the National League East makes it less likely that they'll careen out of control and run off the road to the postseason.

ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT  —  REYNOLDS WANTS ESPN JOB BACK  —  July 26, 2006 — After being accused of sexual harassment and fired by ESPN, former "Baseball Tonight" analyst Harold Reynolds said yesterday he doesn't think he did anything wrong and is still hoping to regain his job.

For Nationals, Greed Is Very Good  —  Jim Bowden is in heaven.  Sitting in the Nationals' dugout before last night's game, he beat the trade drums so loudly that you could hear them from Los Angeles to Chicago and Detroit back to New York.  "The fire department is in my office right now hosing …

Red Sox send Snyder to try for sweep  —  Boston (61-38) at Oakland (51-49), 3:35 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox can end this West Coast journey with a 4-2 mark by completing a three-game sweep of the A's on Wednesday afternoon at McAfee Coliseum.  —  To do so, they'll need a strong outing …

Mariners recall outfielder Chris Snelling from AAA Tacoma  —  Designated hitter Carl Everett designated for assignment  —  Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today that the club has recalled outfielder Chris Snelling from AAA Tacoma.

Scott Kazmir to miss start on Friday  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —Tampa Bay Devil Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir will miss his scheduled start Friday night against the New York Yankees because of shoulder soreness.  —  The Devil Rays do not consider the problem serious and expect the 22-year-old Kazmir …

Angels Seek Infield Help  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With six days left before Monday's trade deadline, the Angels' search for a hitter appears to have shifted away from the corner outfield and designated hitter spots and toward the corner infield spots.  —  That wouldn't preclude a deal …

Notes: Encarnacion eager for more time  —  Third baseman on the bench more since returning from DL  —  HOUSTON — In recent days and weeks, Internet bloggers have taken to posting "Free Edwin Encarnacion" messages.  —  Some fan blogs have even displayed a picture of the Reds third baseman behind bars.

Notes: Prior gauges his progression  —  NEW YORK — Many will look at Mark Prior's last start — in which the 25-year-old right-hander lasted only 3 1/3 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Nationals on July 21 — and say that he's regressed.  But looking at his sporadic schedule would be a clearer sign of how to judge Prior's progression.

PLACE YOUR BETEMIT  —  YANKEES TARGET BRAVES INFIELDER  —  July 26, 2006 — ARLINGTON, Texas - The Phillies told Bobby Abreu's agent the Yankees and Mets remain interested in the right fielder, but the Yankees have expanded their search for a bat beyond Philadelphia.

Dayton: man with the plan  —  One of my favorite baseball scouting phrases is: "The guy's got an idea out there."  It's a wide-ranging compliment that goes beyond tools and miles per hour and on-base percentage.  The "idea player" has something extra — an instinct for the game …