Ultra-tight AL race rages on; Votto tops NL  —  Swisher barely ahead of Youkilis as Final Vote heads to finish  —  With fewer than seven hours remaining, Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher held the slimmest of leads over Kevin Youkilis of the rival Red Sox in a race that is shaping …

DANKS' GEM GIVES WHITE SOX SWEEP OF ANGELS  —  The Sports Network  —  Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - John Danks took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Paul Konerko knocked in the lone run as the Chicago White Sox bested the Angels, 1-0, in the finale of a four-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.

No panic yet from Phillies, but should there be?  —  LAST NIGHT, on “Daily News Live,” on Comcast SportsNet, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. twice mentioned a lack of “urgency” in the DNA of this year's club, saying the healthy regulars who still inhabit the first five spots of the team's lineup need to find some, and fast.

Same youth team produced Strasburg, Leake  —  During a national youth tournament a decade ago in suffocating August heat, hard-throwing 11-year-old Stephen Strasburg melted down.  A couple of hits, an error and a wild pitch caused emotions to well up and explode.

Mets Sign Two From Venezuela  —  The Mets made their first foray into this season's post-July 2 international prospect market yesterday, signing Venezuelan outfielder Vicente Lupo and infielder Leon Jackson Canelon, reports Miguel Bastidas at El Informador de Barquisimeto (link in Spanish).

Cardinals bullpen stumbles again  —  • Given an immediate and eerily similar opportunity to save themselves after Tuesday's nightmare ninth inning, the Cardinals and their bullpen couldn't tame the rallying Rockies and the unstable nature of their home, Coors Field.

Nats' future rotation offers multiple choices, elusive answers  —  The Washington Nationals' pitching rotation of the future is about to arrive.  It's coming in a hurry and in waves, one crashing on top of the other, over the next two to five weeks.  In all, the Nats have 11 pitchers …

Rangers, Mariners discussing deal for Lee  —  ARLINGTON — Trade discussions between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners appear to be heating up over pitcher Cliff Lee, according to industry sources.  —  There is nothing imminent, there are plenty of other teams still involved and Lee …

Phillies Discussing Werth Trades  —  As they search for a proven starter, the Phillies are discussing Jayson Werth trades with “a lot of teams,” according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter links).  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Phillies would likely consider trading Werth if they fall from contention.

Powerful gift at tough time  —  A couple of hours before the Red Sox played the Giants June 26 in San Francisco, Darnell McDonald came in from shagging flies to say hello to a small group gathered by the first base dugout at AT&T Park.  The Sox outfielder shook hands with Sam Callahan …

New York Mets catching prospect Josh Thole not bothered by trade rumors involving lefty Cliff Lee  —  A friend of Josh Thole's sent the Mets' catcher a text message recently wondering if the 22-year-old knew anything about the Mets' trade talks about Seattle ace Cliff Lee.

Sources: Cano pulls out of Home Run Derby  —  Robinson Cano won't have to worry about Home Run Derby hangover after all.  —  A source told the Daily News that the Yankees' All-Star second baseman has decided not to take part in the event next Monday.  —  The decision comes …