Padres-Astros Preview  —  The San Diego Padres ' latest slide has knocked them out of first place in the National League West.  —  The Padres look to avoid losing their fourth straight game when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Outfielder Jorge Piedra designated for assignment; Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that outfielder Jorge Piedra has been designated for assignment.  To take Piedra's place on the roster …

Brewers bench struggling Jenkins  —  Milwaukee to take extended look at Gross, Hart  —  ATLANTA — After waiting in vain for right fielder Geoff Jenkins to get hot, Brewers manager Ned Yost said Friday he planned to bench the slumping veteran for the rest of the season and will spread more playing time to Corey Hart and Gabe Gross.

Sox punch like Judy: String of losses smells like trouble  —  "Things are not going good."  - David Ortiz  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - To make any attempt to candy-coat what has become of the Red Sox would be silly.  —  They stink right now.  The timeliness of their hitting is extinct.

Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel  —  MILWAUKEE — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.

In weak, weak West, a wheezer can win  —  ARLINGTON - The easy thing to do is to bury the Rangers.  —  The hard thing is going to be to do it in the graveyard known as the American League West.  —  Teetering at the foot of the division crypt on Tuesday, having lost four straight …

Saunders, Weaver Get Yankee Stadium Tests  —  CLEVELAND — If there are questions about how the Angels' young pitchers will respond to the pressures of a pennant race and baseball's most hostile environments, they could be answered this weekend.  —  Rookies Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver …

Vidro's Rehab Assignment Is Put Off  —  Washington Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro, on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, won't go on a rehabilitation assignment over the weekend, as he originally said he would.  —  "We want him to be ready to go," General Manager Jim Bowden said.

Bad outing, more doubts  —  Prior's health an issue following 3-inning stint  —  MILWAUKEE — Questions about Mark Prior's health surfaced again Thursday after another shaky outing in an 8-6 loss to Milwaukee, but the answers were as elusive as Prior himself.

Future Shock  —  Cameron Maybin led off yesterday's center field rankings, so he'll pull double duty by leading off today's scouting notebook as well.  The 10th overall pick in last year's draft has had an outstanding year in his full-season debut, batting .320/.401/.477 for Low Class A West Michigan …

Marlins fill system with independents  —  JUPITER — When the Florida Marlins organization needed players to fill gaps within its minor-league system, it turned to the independent professional baseball leagues.  —  Since the start of the minor-league season, only Oakland has acquired …

ESPN's John Kruk gave Phillies second baseman Chase Utley one of the highest compliments by comparing him to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  Kruk stated recently on Baseball Tonight that Utley is the face of the franchise now that Bobby Abreu has been traded to the New York Yankees.

Mets smart to keep excitement  —  In the old days, there was a saying that went, "Home run hitters drive Cadillacs."  The current addendum to that goes something like this: Triples hitters buy big houses.  —  Jose Reyes, master of the triple and sparkplug of the Mets …

Feeling Like 'The Kid' Again  —  Despite Numerous Injuries, Griffey Is at Peace With His Accomplishments  —  CINCINNATI — It's summertime, the start of school is still another few weeks away, and in the mid-afternoon the Cincinnati Reds' clubhouse is filling up with kids, lucky kids whose fathers are big league ballplayers.

Guillen, Williams upset with Uribe  —  CHICAGO - Juan Uribe seemed frustrated that his stiff lower back has kept out of the lineup the past five games.  White Sox management, meanwhile, just seemed frustrated with Uribe.  —  "Well, I saw him taking ground balls yesterday, and he looked all right to me …