Sox can't catch a break  —  They lose to Indians — and also will lose Varitek, who needs knee surgery  —  There's a vacancy sign on the captain's chair in the Red Sox clubhouse.  That doesn't bode well for them on a night when they lost, 6-3, to the Cleveland Indians and fell into a virtual tie …

Ortiz goes on Foxx hunt: Wants to know who he's chasing  —  It has become a disturbing trend in sports: Modern-day athletes not only are ignorant of the history of their sport, but they seem almost blissfully ignorant.  —  Not only are they unfamiliar with those who came before them, they simply don't care.

Perez is intriguing addition  —  MIAMI — The "other guy" in the trade that sent Xavier Nady to the Pirates and brought reliever Roberto Hernandez back to the Mets, Oliver Perez, was at Dolphin Stadium yesterday.  "A get-to-know-you session," general manager Omar Minaya said.

Familiar Faces Lift Nationals Past S.F.  —  After Deadline, Team Makes Do: Nationals 4, Giants 1  —  Livan Hernandez used to do this all the time.  He pitched seven innings every time out, baffled batters with his ridiculously slow curveball, shrugged his shoulders as he walked off the mound, as if to say, "Hit that!"

Injuries made Stocker's career come up short after Abreu deal  —  It appeared to be just another innocuous baseball trade.  —  On Nov. 18, 1997, the Phillies, coming off a 68-94 season, dealt shortstop Kevin Stocker to Tampa Bay for Bobby Abreu, the Houston Astros outfielder the Devil Rays …

Liriano scratched from start with pain  —  Left-hander taking precautionary measures  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins are scratching pitcher Francisco Liriano from Wednesday's start against the Rangers because of discomfort in his left forearm.  The decision was made after Liriano threw …

Irked to still be an Oriole, J. Lopez asks for release … While the Orioles' biggest star was excited about not being dealt at yesterday's non-waiver trade deadline, another one of the club's most expensive players was far from thrilled.  —  Designated hitter Javy Lopez said he was hoping …

D-Backs fall to homer-happy Cubs  —  Chicago uses four long balls on way to victory  —  CHICAGO — The wind was blowing out for a second straight night at Wrigley Field, but this time it brought ill tidings for the Diamondbacks.  —  One night after setting a club record with six homers …

Duaner Sanchez's night of terror  —  Police say taxi was broadsided and bounced off a concrete barrier  —  Shortly after checking into his team's Florida hotel late Sunday night, Mets setup man Duaner Sanchez showered and told his younger brother that he was hungry.

Humber bumped up to Binghamton  —  Right-hander progresses down road from Tommy John surgery  —  Phil Humber's comeback isn't complete just yet.  That won't happen until he takes the mound for the Mets, which will more than likely happen sometime next season.

Coach: Derby didn't hurt Cabrera  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Marlins hitting coach Jim Presley said that he has mixed feelings about the All-Star Home Run Derby because hitters can mess up the mechanics of their swing.  —  But Presley said he doesn't think third baseman Miguel Cabrera's participation …

Under The Knife  —  Baseball's Billion-Dollar Question  —  The baseball season gives us some signposts along the way.  Opening Day.  The All-Star Break.  The Trading Deadline.  Times to assess the team and figure out how to get from here to there.  "Here" may be the same …