Haggerty: Signs are there that Sox are giving up on the season  —  CLEVELAND - So this is what happens when a baseball team gives up all pretense of hope for a season, or caring about how they're perceived.  —  Sure, there were still angry competitors raging against the dying of the 2012 Red Sox dream.

Yankees unsure of Pettitte return date  —  DETROIT — With Ivan Nova getting spanked the past two outings and Freddy Garcia failing to provide consistent length, the Yankees' rotation requires a boost.  —  That is expected to be supplied by Andy Pettitte, but general manager Brian Cashman …

Clay Buchholz tosses two-hitter to guide Red Sox past Indians  —  CLEVELAND — Clay Buchholz pitched a two-hitter, Cody Ross hit a two-run homer, and the Boston Red Sox broke a three-game losing streak by beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Friday night.  —  Buchholz (10-3) …

White Sox's Konerko (concussion) goes on DL  —  CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was placed on the seven-day disabled list Friday due to a concussion he suffered earlier in the week.  —  Konerko suffered the injury Tuesday when he was elbowed in the head …

Maholm Throws 3-Hitter, Braves Beat Mets 4-0  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Maholm pitched a three-hitter in his second start for Atlanta and the Braves got two-run homers from Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla to beat the New York Mets 4-0 Friday night.  —  Heyward connected in the first inning …

Palmeiro supports Clemens, Bonds  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Former Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro said Friday that Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds should be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  —  Both Clemens and Bonds will be eligible for the first time starting in 2013.

Ulcers send Collmenter to DL  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs placed right-handed relief pitcher Josh Collmenter on the 15-day disabled list Friday with ulcers and recalled right-handed reliever Brad Bergesen from Triple-A Reno.  —  Coming home from a 10-day road trip on Thursday …

Votto progresses, but sore after sliding practice  —  CHICAGO — The projected return timetable for injured Reds first baseman Joey Votto remains uncertain, but he continues to make strides ... literally in this case.  —  Votto, who tore the medial meniscus in his left knee on June 29 …

Vizquel eager to start second career  —  If Omar Vizquel wanted to retire amid maximum public adulation, he erred by spending the 2012 season with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  Vizquel, 45, is receiving far less acclaim than the other legend who has said this will be his final season …

Prospect Hot Sheet: Aug. 10  —  Why He's Here: .500/.577/1.045 (11-for-22), 2 HR, 2 3B, 2 2B, 5 RBIs, 9 R, 4 BB, 1 SO  —  The Scoop: Not reflected in the line above is Machado's big league debut for Baltimore yesterday in which he went 2-for-4 with a triple and made his first career start at third base.

Red Sox Sign Dedgar Jimenez For $175,000  —  The Red Sox have signed Dedgar Jimenez, a 16-year-old Venezuelan lefthander, for $175,000.  —  Jimenez has an extra-large, David Wells-type frame listed at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds.  He has represented Venezuela at international youth tournaments since he was 10 …

The Stories You'd Be Reading If The First Half Didn't Exist  —  If the first half of the season didn't exist, what sort of silly narratives would you be reading right now?  —  In April, all baseball writers can do is react to small samples.  It's an ugly secret that no one really likes to talk about.