Rangers' bid for sweep derailed  —  Millwood pitching better; Kinsler sprains left ankle in loss  —  DETROIT — Roll call in the Rangers' locker room after a 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon.  —  Ian Kinsler.  Sprained left ankle.  Crutches present at locker.

Any White Sox deal likely involves a pitcher  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If Mark Buehrle stays with the White Sox, at least one other pitcher likely will be traded.  —  That's the economic reality facing the Sox.  They have 13 players under contract at about $82.575 million for 2008.

Thomas launches No. 500 at Metrodome  —  Blue Jays slugger hits three-run shot vs. Silva in first frame  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Seventeen years ago, Frank Thomas belted his first career home run off Twins pitcher Gary Wayne in Minnesota.  Thursday afternoon at the Metrodome, the pitcher was different, but the result was the same.

Padres tentatively acquire OF Milton Bradley  —  The Padres have tentatively acquired outfielder Milton Bradley from the Oakland Athletics.  As part of the trade, the Padres will send a minor league pitcher to Oakland.  Bradley, a switch-hitter, could join the Padres on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Baseball fans bored with milestones … When Roger Clemens went for his 350th career victory on Wednesday night at Camden Yards, the ballpark was about two-thirds full and the excitement level for what could have been a rare piece of baseball history was not all that much greater …

Notes: Jones takes responsibility  —  Closer holds himself accountable for Tuesday's loss  —  DETROIT — The Tigers do not have a captain.  The way Todd Jones sees it, their bullpen does, in a way.  —  While Jones' frustration was tempered Wednesday morning after Tuesday's loss, he still wasn't happy with how it unfolded.

Notes: Rainout negates Pelfrey recall  —  Mets no longer need extra starter for Friday doubleheader  —  NEW YORK — Nothing like a little rain to wash away the Mets' problems.  —  The Mets had been prepared for some time to recall rookie starter Mike Pelfrey from Triple-A New Orleans …

Who Might Be Owning the Chicago Cubs?  —  The Chicago Cubs - one of MLB's crown jewels - will have a new owner in place before the start of next season.  Here's a break down of who's in the hunt to own them.  With the All-Star Game approaching quickly, eyes are starting focus on the sale …

Astros recall Albers and McLemore  —  Club releases White, designates Randolph for assignment  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has recalled RHP Matt Albers and LHP Mark McLemore from Triple-A Round Rock.  Albers and McLemore will be uniform for tonight's …

Astros' Biggio gets 3,000th career hit  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Craig Biggio kissed his wife, hugged everyone in sight and dragged former teammate Jeff Bagwell out onto the field to soak in the celebration.  —  It was the perfect place for the Astros second baseman to get his 3,000th career hit.

Unit hit hard in return, Dodgers win 9-5  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Russell Martin spoiled Randy Johnson's return with a home run and finished with three hits to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-5 Thursday.  —  Randy Wolf (9-6) allowed three runs in six-plus innings …

Cashman declines to say if Torre's job is safe  —  With the New York Yankees languishing under .500, General Manager Brian Cashman declined to say Joe Torre's job is safe during an interview on the Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York on Thursday.

Saves Won't Help Torre Save Yankees  —  A frustrated reader suggested that today's column should be devoted to a thorough recitation of "the worst on-field blunders in the history of the Yankees."  The reader was moved to make the request after watching a stunned Scott Proctor hold on to the ball …