Sox' chances down to slim and slimmer  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Considering everything that had gone on with the White Sox over the last week — both on the field and off — Paul Konerko had every right in the world to break out the ''Dumb and Dumber'' quotes.

Win streak grows to 4 as James wins 7th  —  Miami — It is a win streak.  Even if it's against the dregs of the NL East, the Braves will not discount it.  —  Atlanta's longest win streak in nearly seven weeks reached four mighty games Friday night, the Florida Marlins collapsing …

Acta Shifts Lineup to Spark Offense  —  In desperate need of reviving the National League's most moribund offense, Washington Nationals Manager Manny Acta moved shortstop Felipe Lopez — who began the year as the team's leadoff man and had been hitting second — to the seventh spot in the lineup.

Cano's woes reflect those of his team  —  NEW YORK — In a summer of unsolved mysteries in the Bronx, none have confounded the Yankees as much as Robinson Cano's 70-point drop-off from last year's batting average.  Once upon a time, Cano was as flashy and gifted as Jose Reyes.

NY Mets 5, Philadelphia 2  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Carlos Beltran homered twice and John Maine dominated the Phillies again, helping the New York Mets complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader with a 5-2 victory Friday night.  —  Damion Easley also connected for the NL East-leading Mets, who moved five games ahead of the Phillies.

Astros stun Rockies - again  —  Houston - When Brian Fuentes strolled to the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, he carried the weight of two losing streaks on his shoulders.  —  When he departed, his head was down and the Rockies were crushed under the weight of Fuentes' fourth consecutive blown save.

Mulder's mound work is curtailed  —  • The Cardinals have taken rehabbing pitching Mark Mulder off the mound until at least Monday due to stiffness that followed his recent side work at Shea Stadium.  —  Mulder, recovering from surgery to repair a partial thickness rotator cuff tear …

Francisco's HR lifts Indians in ninth  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Francisco had a memorable debut for the Cleveland Indians.  —  Making his first start in the major leagues, he recorded his first career hit in the fourth and then led off the ninth with a home run off Tampa Bay's Shawn Camp to give the Cleveland Indians a 2-1 win.

Notes: Mets refute Lo Duca reports  —  Players address comments attributed to catcher in NY papers  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Mets dismissed and/or denied reports that appeared in the Friday editions of several New York newspapers involving comments attributed to catcher Paul Lo Duca.

Pirates fans organizing in-game walkout  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates, stuck in a 15th consecutive losing season, don't sell out PNC Park that often.  On one of the few nights they will, some fans don't plan to stick around long.  —  With only the third capacity crowd …

Kendrick's late blast lifts Angels  —  Halos find way to win despite O's comeback, Huff's cycle  —  BALTIMORE — As Chone Figgins was carving out a new line in the Angels' record book, studious Howie Kendrick plagiarized the classic swing of one of his heroes, Hank Aaron, to win a game on Friday night at Camden Yards.

Notes: Kinsler out a couple of games  —  Rangers hope injured second baseman won't need DL stint  —  BOSTON — Second baseman Ian Kinsler underwent treatment for a sprained left foot on Friday and reported some improvement, but he is not expected to play for at least the next couple of games.