Nats Rally in 9th, Win 5th in a Row  —  Kearns's Sacrifice Fly Caps Two-Run Comeback Off Benitez: Nationals 4, Giants 3  —  Austin Kearns has been a Washington National for exactly two weeks.  But only last night did he officially arrive.  —  Kearns delivered his first big blow for his new club …

The Rumor Mill: The Maine Attraction.  —  As the trade deadline approaches, both New York clubs are still focused on their targets, but the cast of characters that are being discussed seem to be changing from hour to hour .  That's the word that Gotham Baseball Magazine is getting as we make the rounds for this latest Rumor Mill.

Padres-Rockies Preview  —  Lots of pitchers fare poorly in Coors Field, but few have more trouble there than San Diego Padres starter Woody Williams .  —  Williams looks to end his struggles at the hitter-friendly Colorado ballpark and lead the Padres to their second five-game winning streak …

Valentin's heroics hardly a first  —  Jose Valentin finally managed the first hit for the Mets yesterday in the seventh inning.  As he has done regularly and unexpectedly in his first season at Shea, he also delivered the biggest one a few innings later.  —  Valentin's improbable run …

Run away, Roger!  It's time to bolt to Sox  —  So what do you think, Roger?  Was it something you said?  Do your teammates not like you?  Maybe they harbor unspoken resentment over your special privileges with the Houston Astros in which you basically come and go as you please.

Giambi Ends Seesaw Battle, and Yankees Gain Ground  —  ARLINGTON, Tex., July 26 — When it was over — after five Yankees relievers, four lead changes, two booming homers and one pivotal missed bunt — one fact stood out about the Yankees' wild 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

M's gain, drop a DH  —  Club trades for Broussard, sends Everett packing  —  Eduardo Perez and Ben Broussard began the season as platoon partners, and it looks like they'll end it the same way.  —  Less than a month after acquiring Perez from the Cleveland Indians, the Mariners …

Tales of Torre Tales  —  This is perhaps the only baseball story you will ever read that starts out with a snake.  —  Texas left-hander Kameron Loe has a pet boa constrictor named Angel.  It's seven feet long and he brings it to Ameriquest Field on occasion and lets it slither around the infield grass.

A's put hurting on Sox  —  Thomas belts two homers as Oakland salvages series finale  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — They are 100 games into the schedule, four days from the trading deadline, and nine weeks from the end of the season.  —  A good day to take the temperature of your Boston Red Sox?

Brewers still considering trading Lee  —  The Brewers are still trying to decide whether to trade left fielder Carlos Lee, still weighing all the variables as the countdown to Monday's non-waiver deadline continues.  —  Lee, 30, is a free agent after this season, and the Brewers plan to make one last push to sign him.

A's hit jackpot with Thomas  —  A'S GENERAL MANAGER Billy Beane knew about designated hitter Frank Thomas' medical woes.  He realized Thomas had fractured his left ankle twice and missed most of the past two seasons with the Chicago White Sox.  —  So when the possibility of signing Thomas …