Notes: Francoeur has been on tear  —  Braves right fielder hit 10th homer Saturday on anniversary  —  SAN DIEGO — Jeff Francoeur celebrated the second anniversary of his Major League debut Saturday by hitting his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot off the Padres' David Wells.

Milledge could start in left after break  —  HOUSTON — Lastings Milledge could be the Mets' leftfielder when the team returns from the All-Star break Thursday.  —  Milledge went 3-for-5 yesterday after going 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs Saturday night for Double-A Binghamton …

Don't Bet Farm on a Yanks Fire Sale  —  Like many people, I have too much clutter in my office, and, from time to time, I think it would be a good idea to get rid of it.  The problem, of course, is that no one would want it, for the same reason I don't want it.

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.

Willis remains prime trade bait for Marlins  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  If ever the Marlins were to move left-hander Dontrelle Willis, the time is now.  —  The White Sox's signing of left-hander Mark Buehrle to a four-year, $56 million contract extension further depressed the trade market …

Hot start spurs worries for future status  —  As last season ended, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd determined that he wanted Kazuo Matsui back to inject speed into the top of the lineup.  An aggressive pursuit and mutual interest led Matsui to sign a one-year, $1.5 million deal with $940,000 …

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 …

CUBS IN BRIEF: Piniella, Hendry seek righty bat  —  PITTSBURGH — Another rough day scoring runs, in particular against a left-hander, has the Cubs looking even a little harder at trying to add a right-handed hitter to the roster before they resume play Friday.

Hicks owns up, remains confident  —  Tom Hicks didn't want to trade Chris Young; needed "several weeks" to be talked into firing Buck Showalter; thinks the Stars "kinda quit" in the playoffs two years ago; still doesn't regret letting Kenny Rogers go; and believes "realistically, it's '09" when it comes to the Rangers' chances.

Phils lend hand with tarp, top Rockies  —  Players, coaches brave elements to help grounds crew  —  DENVER — Seeing a member of the Coors Field grounds crew flung 10 feet in the air, then swallowed by a tarp was enough for the Phillies.  —  With rain and fierce winds making personal safety …

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.

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.