Mets start break one day too soon  —  But still look at season half-full  —  HOUSTON - The good news is the Mets are in first place at the All-Star break.  —  The bad news?  To hear the Mets tell it, there is none, but it's hard to take that tack after yesterday's 8-3 loss to the Astros.

Santana gets another rough road reception  —  Right-hander doesn't make it past three innings, giving up nine runs, including two home runs.  —  NEW YORK — Peter Angelos caught a lot of flak last July for his last-minute nixing of a trade that would have sent Baltimore slugger Miguel Tejada …

Dodgers prospect named Futures MVP  —  Shortstop in LA's system shines on World Team at AT&T Park  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The 2007 Futures Game turned out to be quite a growth experience for Chin-Lung Hu.  —  The Dodgers' little shortstop prospect from Taiwan became a bigger prospect …

Florida Marlins head to All-Star break on sour note; Miguel Cabrera, Scott Olsen ailing  —  LOS ANGELES — Manager Fredi Gonzalez already knew he would be without slugger Miguel Cabrera on Sunday.  —  He wasn't counting on losing his starting pitcher as well.

Yankees Pin Their Hopes on Pitching and Patience  —  Tony Franklin has wandered the minor leagues for 38 years, watching teammates advance to the majors and teaching prospects to do the same.  He is a wise 57 years old, and these days, he carries himself with a carefree air not often seen in a manager.

Buehrle to get $56 million over four years  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 19 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Mark Buehrle and the White Sox have agreed to a new contract.  —  The pitcher's deal is worth $56 million over four years.  It does not include a full no-trade clause …

MLB punishes ESPN for embargo violation  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — ESPN won't be able to allowed to broadcast its "Baseball Tonight" show live from the All-Star game in San Francisco on Tuesday night.  —  Major League Baseball limited ESPN's access this week after the cable network broke …

Stroke of genius  —  23 years after his death, Lau's swing lives on  —  The swing has a signature.  —  It's head down all the way through contact, because you can't hit what you can't see, he would say.  It's a weight shift from the back leg to the front, because you need to get leverage.

Notes: Teixeira ready to return  —  First baseman will start Friday in Anaheim against Angels  —  ARLINGTON — First baseman Mark Teixeira went through a strenuous running test before Sunday's game with the Baltimore and said he is "100 percent."  —  Teixeira, on the disabled list …

Notes: Bailey optioned to Triple-A  —  Rookie sent down to continue pitching during break  —  CINCINNATI — Hours after Homer Bailey gave up one earned run on only two hits in five innings against the D-backs on Saturday night, the Reds optioned the rookie right-hander to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday morning.

Tigers hit 3 HRs off Dice-K, sweep BoSox  —  DETROIT (AP) — Gary Sheffield and the Detroit Tigers made Daisuke Matsuzaka pay for his lackluster location.  —  Sheffield hit one of Detroit's three homers off the Japanese star, Curtis Granderson took a home run away from Boston and the Tigers beat …

D-backs drop another heartbreaker  —  Club makes comeback to force extras, but unable to end skid  —  CINCINNATI — When Arizona loaded the bases with one out in the first inning on Sunday at Great American Ball Park, one press box wag observed, "The Reds have the Diamondbacks right where they want them."

Rangers hit break with a blast  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - They have lost half their starting infield to injuries in the last month.  Their lone All-Star hasn't had an extra-base hit in more than three weeks.  They've scored four or fewer runs, usually a sure omen of defeat, nine times in the last two weeks.

Rios final AL participant in HR Derby  —  Blue Jays right fielder named before Indians game Sunday  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios has agreed to be the final American League participant for the 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby in San Francisco.