Sources: Reds in talks for Cubs' Garza  —  The Cincinnati Reds, one of the hottest teams in baseball, are not satisfied with their current position atop the NL Central.  —  The Reds, seeking to fortify the top of their rotation for a potential playoff run, are talking to the Chicago Cubs …

Five teams to keep a close eye on  —  Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants and Cubs could be big players at deadline … Editor's note: Jayson Stark will be writing a Daily Rumble each day leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.  —  As that cool countdown clock atop our ESPN.com MLB page …

Buchholz leads Red Sox past Tigers for third straight win  —  BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia hit a tiebreaking homer and drove in three runs to support Clay Buchholz's eight solid innings, leading the Boston Red Sox over the Detroit Tigers 7-3 Monday night for their third straight win.

Rangers Acquire Geovany Soto  —  The Cubs have traded Geovany Soto to the Rangers, Yahoo's Tim Brown reports (on Twitter).  The Cubs will obtain Jacob Brigham in the trade, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).  This trade isn't related to the Reed Johnson deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

Yost, Royals nix fraternizing on basepaths  —  Alcides Escobar (pictured) and the Royals' middle infield has been criticized of late for being ‘too friendly’ with their opponents on the basepaths.  (John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE)  —  Jeffrey Flanagan has been a newspaper journalist for over 25 years …

Ransom's HR caps late burst, Brewers stop Astros  —  MILWAUKEE—Cody Ransom's homer capped a four-run burst in the eighth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers, after firing their bullpen coach, held off the Houston Astros 8-7 Monday night.  —  The Brewers dismissed Stan Kyles before the game …

Rookie Gonzalez Solid as Orioles Hold Off Yankees  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Markakis drove in two runs to back a solid outing by rookie Miguel Gonzalez and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the struggling New York Yankees 5-4 Monday night.  —  Gonzalez (3-2) cruised through 6 2-3 innings …

Heyward homers; Braves end losing skid, beating Marlins  —  ATLANTA — Jason Heyward homered and scored three runs and the Atlanta Braves snapped a string of 16 straight losses on Mondays, including 12 this season, by beating the Miami Marlins 8-2 on Monday night.

Kendrys Morales becomes third player ever to homer from both sides of the plate in same inning  —  Kendrys Morales accomplished a very rare feat during the sixth inning tonight against the Rangers, homering from both sides of the plate while driving in six runs.  —  The Angels scored nine runs in the inning.

Twins Rally in 9th Inning to Beat White Sox 7-6  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jamey Caroll's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored Alexi Casilla and the Minnesota Twins won their fourth straight, beating the Chicago White Sox 7-6 Monday night.  —  Denard Span had two hits and two spectacular catches …

Padres end Reds' 10-game streak with 11-5 win  —  CINCINNATI—Will Venable drove in four runs with a single and a bases-loaded triple Monday night, and the San Diego Padres emphatically ended one of the longest winning streaks in Reds history with an 11-5 victory that brought out the worst in Cincinnati.