Nationals acquire pitching prospects Garrett Mock and Matt Chico from Diamondbacks in exchange for Livan Hernandez  —  The Washington Nationals today acquired a pair of 23 year-old starting pitchers, righthander Garrett Mock and lefthander Matt Chico, from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez.

Ka-ching fever  —  City cashing in on record crowds for Yanks, Mets  —  New York has a serious case of baseball fever — and it's more than just the fans who are cheering.  —  The high-flying Mets and Yankees are on a pace to sell more than 7.5 million tickets this season, which would set an attendance record for New York.

Bullpen is able to share the blame  —  Failure to protect lead a group effort  —  Rookie Ben Zobrist was a pest to Red Sox pitchers, hitting a solo homer in the third and a two-run double in the seventh.  (AP Photo)  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There they were, lined up in perfect order for the win.

LO DUCA'S SEXY WIFE  —  MODEL RIPS HIS  —  'ADULTERY' IN DIVORCE SUIT  —  By CARY CARDWELL in San Antonio and LARRY CELONA in New York  —  Met catcher Paul Lo Duca is having an All-Star season on the field - but his personal life is in shambles after his Playboy-model wife accused …

Maine man is zero hero  —  John Maine's Met career got off to an inauspicious start.  The 25-year-old righthander, whom the Mets acquired in January in the deal that sent Kris Benson and his outspoken wife Anna to Baltimore, felt the middle finger on his right hand pop as he was warming up for his first Mets start back on May 2.

Confessions of an RBI Fanatic  —  I have a confession to make: I'm a big fan of the RBI.  That may not sound so bad to many of you, but think about my position.  Here I am writing for an "analysis-oriented" baseball website.  Not only that, but my own writing is often supported by quite …

Future Shock  —  Josh Bell, 3b, Short-season Ogden (Dodgers)  —  The Dodgers feel like they got a steal in Bell when they were able to nab him in the fourth round of the 2005 draft after a case of draft-itis led to a disappointing senior season.  After a solid pro debut …

Notes: Nationals tab Traber for callup  —  Left-hander to work out of bullpen until likely Aug. 12 start  —  SAN DIEGO — The Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher Billy Traber from Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday.  He is expected to work out of the bullpen during the early part of the week …

Oxnard Must Be An Entertaining Camp  —  Your Hollywood Minute  —  There's crazy, and then there's that special brand of crazy that is Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo.  What would you do if you were a major league pitcher going for your 10th win of the season, as Arroyo will be doing on Thursday?

Buried alive  —  Back in the 19th century, lots of folks had a horrible fear of being buried alive.  There were a few highly publicized cases of someone falling unconcious or dropping into a coma then, after being incorrectly pronounced dead by their friendly family doctor, finding themselves gasping for air six feet under.

History lesson: Sox a long shot to win Central  —  TORONTO — Here's what the White Sox face as they begin the season's longest homestand and a rough final eight weeks:  —  History indicates the Sox should concentrate on winning the wild card instead of the Central Division.

Phils trade Franklin to Reds  —  Cincinnati to send player to be named  —  ATLANTA — Ryan Franklin found a home on Monday, when the Phillies sent him to Cincinnati for a player to be named.  —  Franklin, 33, had been designated for assignment July 30 after going 1-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 46 relief appearances.