Sox don't buy into Cabrera's excuse … BALTIMORE - Somehow, it does not appear as if the Red Sox [team stats] are going to buy Daniel Cabrera's excuse that the pitch he whistled behind Dustin Pedroia [stats]'s head in the fourth inning last night "slipped" out of his hand.

Pirates to name Coonelly as CEO  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 53 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Pirates' firing of GM Dave Littlefield was a precursor to their next move — the hiring of Frank Coonelly as their new CEO, according to major-league sources.

Maddon Staying At Helm  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays are expected to announce today that they have picked up Manager Joe Maddon's contract options for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  —  The move isn't a surprise, as principal owner Stuart Sternberg voiced his support for Maddon last week while the Rays were in New York.

Diamondbacks edge Cardinals  —  The Diamondbacks are still hopeful because, really, what else can they be with their leader sitting on the bench in the dugout, watching Friday night's rousing 4-2 win from the seat adjacent to his manager?  —  But if they are cautiously optimistic about the health …

Glaus: No comment on steroid accusations  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus declined to address accusations that he received performance-enhancing drugs from a Florida pharmacy under investigation for illegally distributing prescription medications.

Itch leads to scratch  —  Mosquito prompts errant sign, setting tone for stinging loss  —  Cincinnati - A lot of bad and strange things have happened to the Milwaukee Brewers on the road this season.  Friday night might have topped them all.  —  A mosquito bite that Brewers manager Ned Yost got earlier …

Analysis: Littlefield's low-risk style netted low rewards  —  When Bob Nutting spoke of creating a "culture of success" for the Pirates on the day he fired Dave Littlefield, it might have struck some as laughable.  —  The Pirates a success?  —  After 15 years of failure?

Joining his rival would be no problem for Hunter  —  Torii Hunter's eyebrows soared Friday when he learned the White Sox have financial room to add an impact player next season.  —  Minnesota's Gold Glove center fielder also is familiar with the AL Central as a notorious Sox killer …

Harlan Chamberlain sees Joba as Yankee live for first time  —  KANSAS CITY - Harlan Chamberlain had tears running down his face as his son entered last night's game in the seventh.  By the end of the inning, he was pumping his fist and experiencing something he would never forget.

Mets crush Astros, take six-game lead in N.L. East  —  The Mets lost a coin flip to Philadelphia yesterday, meaning the Phillies will host a one-game playoff if the teams wind up tied for the NL East crown.  —  But the Mets leapt closer last night toward ensuring that neither heads nor tails …

Nats nearly no-hit, sloppy in loss  —  Smoltz pitches seven hitless frames; Hanrahan, defense falter  —  ATLANTA — The offense has been the Nationals' Achilles' heel all season.  On Friday night, the Nationals showed how bad it could be.  Right-hander John Smoltz came close to throwing …