Hall of Fame argument for Biggio, Thomas  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Thursday was a good day for milestones.  —  On Thursday, Frank Thomas of the Blue Jays bashed career home-run number 500, and Craig Biggio of the Astros notched career hit number 3,000.  Both benchmarks are as hallowed …

Angered El Duque lifts Mets by Phils 6-5  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — El Duque walked around the mound muttering unprintable words before the game.  Once it started, he made hitters do the same.  —  Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes homered, Orlando Hernandez pitched six strong innings …

Lo Duca outburst has Latin accent  —  Calls out media, Hispanic mates  —  Admitting he was "in a bad mood all day," Paul Lo Duca announced in a near-empty clubhouse last night - and on the eve of the Mets' key NL East showdown with the Phillies - that some of his Spanish-speaking teammates need …

Rain stops Orioles, Yankees in the 8th … The 19-minute rain delay that occurred in the middle of the Orioles' four-run seventh inning last night gave the home team plenty of chances to ponder what they were on the verge of accomplishing.  They already had erased a two-run deficit …

Cubs beat Brewers on Ramirez's HR in 9th  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Aramis Ramirez went from disgusted to delighted as the Chicago Cubs mounted an improbable comeback off Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero to win their seventh straight game.  —  Ramirez hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom …

YES may join Yanks in the tank  —  The Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network is officially in uncharted waters.  For the first time since the network debuted five years ago, the Bombers' ship is sinking.  —  If the losing continues, will viewers bail?  And if they do, and Yankees ratings …

Bradley to Padres  —  The Padres and Oakland Athletics have agreed in principle to a trade that will send outfielder Milton Bradley to the Padres and a minor league pitcher to the A's.  Some minor details still need to be ironed out.  —  Bradley, 29, is projected to play left field …

Pirates Notebook: Armas' days numbered?  —  MIAMI — The end could be nigh for Tony Armas.  —  He might be the least of the Pirates' problems, having been relegated to mopup duty a month ago, but he also has been the least effective of their pitchers with a 8.92 ERA and nine home runs allowed in just 37 innings.

Thriving Beckett has that winning feeling  —  Right-hander's rise has him on cusp of first All-Star berth  —  SEATTLE — A crowning moment awaits Josh Beckett on Sunday, when the All-Star selections are announced.  —  Tied for the Major League lead with 11 wins, Beckett …

Dan Patrick on "The Price is Right"?!?  —  Dan Patrick of ESPN has been contacted by the producers of the game show The Price is Right in an effort to see if the ESPN television and radio personality would be interested in hosting the show.  Auditions are being held to replace retired host Bob Barker …

Trades likely as last-place Cincinnati confronts reality  —  PHILADELPHIA — It isn't a surrender proclamation because nothing yet has happened, but it might be that the Cincinnati Reds are ready to swallow some reality: 16 games out of first place entering Thursday's action …

Yankees won't deal pitching prospects  —  BALTIMORE - General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that while he would like to be active in the trade market, he will not part with any of the team's top pitching prospects.  —  "I can't be foolish," Cashman told The Journal News.