Verlander, Tigers search for sweep  —  Detroit (78-41) at Boston (68-50), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  No Tigers pitcher of any experience level has won 15 games in a full season since Willie Blair and Justin Thompson in 1997.  Rookie Justin Verlander could this year do it just after the midpoint of August.

Source: Sox sign Haverhill's Pena  —  According to a source, the Red Sox have signed first baseman Carlos Pena, the former Northeastern star who most recently had been playing for the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate.  The club had no comment on the matter prior tonight's game at Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankees' Lion in Winter  —  George M. Steinbrenner 3rd, his face puffy, limping on a painful knee, walked slowly, then stumbled a bit, to the podium at the makeshift ballpark where the Yankees held yesterday's groundbreaking for their new stadium.  —  This was a glorious morning for Steinbrenner …

Martinez placed on 15-day disabled list  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez has the kind of mild calf injury that probably wouldn't keep him off the mound in the postseason.  —  But with the New York Mets holding a double-digit lead in the NL East, there's no way they're taking any chances with their All-Star ace.

Who will wear the AL crown?  —  Not only has the National League transformed into Quadruple-A, as far as I can tell the Dodgers and Mets are the only two NL teams capable of doing anything in October.  And by "anything," I mean not "getting swept in the World Series."

Pirates hope to Motor in Tigers' path  —  Blossoming talent, guidance of Littlefield have Bucs headed up  —  In six weeks, the Pittsburgh Pirates will finish what will be their 14th consecutive losing season and perhaps the team's second 100-loss season in the last six years.

Notes: Green sits out again  —  Outfielder the subject of trade rumors with the New York Mets  —  DENVER — For the second straight game, right fielder Shawn Green was out of the starting lineup.  —  D-Backs manager Bob Melvin said with the trade talk that has been swirling around Green …

Dishing From Behind the Dish: Phillies' Coste Continues a Journey  —  The Phillies' Chris Coste self-published 2,000 copies of a 228-page book about his life in the minors.  He was called up from Scranton on May 21.  —  Chris Coste's second book was done.

Stairs' veteran presence a bonus  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers' trade deadline addition of outfielder/designated hitter Matt Stairs didn't attract nearly the attention that adding outfielder Carlos Lee did, and that's a fair difference.  —  At 38 years old, Stairs is no longer the same home run threat he once was.

Froemming umpires 5,000th game  —  BOSTON (AP) — Bruce Froemming's day began with a few congratulatory phone calls early in the morning.  His family was in town to watch him work, and he was honored during an on-field ceremony at Fenway Park.  —  It's not often an umpire is in the spotlight for doing something good.

Edmonds diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome Wednesday, one day after leaving a game because of dizziness and blurred vision.  —  Edmonds underwent an MRI on Tuesday night …

Take baseball, race, and religion.  Add Denis Leary.  Mix.  —  WEDNESDAY MORNING EDIT: In retrospect, this was the most fun I had on Tuesday night.  —  Denis Leary and Lenny Clark came by the NESN broadcast booth for an inning of tonight's game.  It started out smoothly enough — you know …

Pirates' Sanchez defying the odds  —  Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez made his contribution to team camaraderie in May when he bought a Ping-Pong table for the PNC Park home clubhouse.  To no one's surprise, the ultra-competitive Freddy Sanchez is now ranked No. 1 ahead of shortstop Jack Wilson …