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 …

Pirates Notebook: Duffy likely candidate to go on DL  —  Center fielder Chris Duffy likely will be on the disabled list by today.  —  Duffy sustained a "significantly" sprained left ankle, according to manager Jim Tracy, while turning to chase down Alfredo Amezaga's gift triple in the eighth inning in Miami Thursday.

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.

O's place Trachsel on DL … The Orioles placed Steve Trachsel on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained gluteus muscle and recalled left-handed reliever Kurt Birkins from Triple-A Norfolk.  —  Trachsel lasted only 1 2/3 innings last night, allowing hits to nine of the 12 batters …

A's hold Yankees to one hit in 7-0 rout  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Gaudin combined with Rich Harden on a one-hitter, and the Oakland Athletics connected for three home runs off Kei Igawa in a 7-0 victory over the lethargic New York Yankees on Saturday.  —  Light-hitting Jason Kendall was 3 …

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.

Sox call up Ellsbury  —  The Red Sox have called up outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury from Triple-A Pawtucket for tonight's game against Texas.  Ellsbury is in the lineup against the Rangers, will bat ninth, and will play center field.  —  To make room for Ellsbury, the Red Sox placed reliever Joel Pineiro …

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 …

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.

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.