YANKS CAN'T AFFORD FENWAY FLOP  —  MUST PROVE WIN STREAK NO FLUKE  —  Give them credit for doing what was needed to avoid being buried in the AL East by winning the first six games following the All-Star break.  —  Starting tonight at Fenway Park, the Yankees step up in class with three games against the World Champion Red Sox.

In need of a trade partner?  Pirates might be your team  —  Tell Danny your opinion!  —  The Pirates have five of the most interesting players available on the July trading market, so it's no surprise that people around the game were talking about Pittsburgh this week.

Fan injured, 17 ejected in minor league brawl  —  DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Umpires ejected 15 players and the two managers following a bench-clearing brawl during a tense game between the Midwest League's Dayton Dragons and Peoria Chiefs.  —  Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo threw a ball toward …

Milledge returns as Estrada departs  —  Outfielder activated off DL; glut of catchers trimmed by one  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Following Thursday's game against the Giants, the Nationals activated outfielder Lastings Milledge from the 15-day disabled list and designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment.

Texas' Rangers' 1-2 punch appears to be a hit again  —  Kinsler, Young end mini-slumps  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  One positive to come out of Wednesday's 10-8 loss to the White Sox: Ian Kinsler and Michael Young appeared to have ended mini-slumps.  —  Young had a solo home run …

Ortiz will bring punch to the party  —  The most telling aspect of David Ortiz's absence from the Red Sox lineup is that by any meaningful measure, the team's offense did not lose any of its potency.  —  To a man, of course, the Sox are thrilled at the timing of the return of Ortiz …

Dan Graziano's Trade Winds  —  Talk about a turnaround.  This wasn't even the top guy Baltimore got in the Erik Bedard trade, but here he is, atop the wish lists of several teams looking for left-handed relief help.  Teams connected to Sherrill include the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, Red Sox and others.

Samardzija gets the call, may get start this weekend  —  CUBS IN BRIEF  —  A Cubs team fiercely trying to focus on the present could get its first glimpse of a big part of its future today with the arrival of top pitching prospect Jeff Samardzija.  —  The hard-throwing right-hander from Valparaiso …

Rollins has to set better example if he wants to be leader for Phillies  —  NEW YORK - They cannot take away the Most Valuable Player  —  trophy that Jimmy Rollins won last year.  It was earned and deserved.  He and the Phillies' 2007 division championship were both special and specially intertwined …

Bonds, trades among topics at Yankees' meetings  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Barry Bonds in pinstripes?  If nothing else, the New York Yankees talked about it.  —  High-ranking Yankees officials gathered for meetings at their spring training complex Thursday, a day off for the team before it begins …