Top News:


Rubin: Lobbying for the truth — I want to get something straight. — Everything I wrote about Tony Bernazard - bombshell stories that appeared in the pages of the Daily News over the last week - is accurate. — My reporting was solid, met the journalistic standards of sourcing and beyond …
RELATED:

BERNAZARD FIRED — The Mets haved fired Tony Bernazard, the Post has learned.

Alex Merricks, Tony Bernazard and “The Culture of Fear”

Phillies eyeing Duke and other rumors — PITTSBURGH _ Charlie Manuel likes Zach Duke enough that he put the Pirates left-hander on the National League squad for the All-Star Game in St. Louis earlier this month. — The Philadelphia Phillies manager also likes Duke enough …
RELATED:

Garko traded to Giants for Class A lefty — First baseman Ryan Garko has been traded from the Indians to the Giants for Class A left-hander Scott Barnes. — Garko had been in the Tribe's lineup at designated hitter but was yanked about an hour before the first pitch against the Angels at Angel Stadium.
RELATED:


Tribe trades Garko to Giants for Class A lefty — Deal opens door for Marte to get redemption in Cleveland — ANAHEIM — The Indians' purge of players who don't fit into their future plans continued on Monday night, when first baseman Ryan Garko was traded to the Giants for Class A left-hander Scott Barnes.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com

LATEST ON HALLADAY, LEE AND V.MARTINEZ — Stuff I have heard today so far: —The Rays and Red Sox are both talking to the Indians about deals that would bring them both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. Tampa is willing to part with touted pitching prospect Wade Davis.
RELATED:

Heyman On Washburn, Halladay, Red Sox
Discussion:
Providence Journal, sox1fan.com, MLB FanHouse, Boston Globe and BBTF's Baseball Primer …


Nats' Win Is Worth 2 Grand — Willingham Hits A Pair of Slams: Nationals 14, Brewers 6 — Before Monday — before a market correction on all his bad luck blasted a path into history — Josh Willingham was merely another middle-of-the-order outfielder who saved his best for the smallest moments.
RELATED:

WORLDS APART? RED SOX AND MATSUZAKA STRUGGLE TO FIND MIDDLE GROUND … Though he is now in his third year in the United States, it is increasingly clear that Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Red Sox still are dealing with their differences as they approach the issue of how to keep the pitcher both healthy and effective.


Social Networking and Sports Summit — Lest there be any doubt about the power of social networking and sports, one need only look at the diversity of this compilation to see it in action. From beat writers, columnists, those in television and radio, blogs, an MLB club, and others in sports business …


Yankees, Reds Working on Arroyo Deal — The Yankees are in serious discussions with the Reds about acquiring Bronson Arroyo, although right now the deal may be hinging on how much of Arroyo's remaining contract the Reds are willing to eat, major league sources told FanHouse on Monday.
RELATED:


Soriano's 13th-inning slam sends Cubs past Astros — CHICAGO (AP) — Alfonso Soriano (FSY) redeemed himself for an earlier mental miscue by hitting a game-ending grand slam in the 13th inning to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Houston Astros 5-1 on Monday night.

Angels' ‘machine’ breaks down in ninth — Brian Fuentes, their seemingly automatic closer, blows a save for first time since May 30, giving up four runs on consecutive homers as Indians win, 8-6. — It had been so long since Brian Fuentes had given up a run, let alone blown a save …

Giants 4, Pirates 2 — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum looked like his old self, pitching a four-hitter and bouncing back from a rough outing with a career-high 15 strikeouts in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Carpenter wraps up undefeated month as Cards tame Dodgers — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Carpenter (FSY) wrapped up an undefeated month, Brendan Ryan (FSY) matched a career high with four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 on Monday night.

Red Sox 8, Athletics 3 — BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett became the American League's first 12-game winner and the Boston Red Sox snapped out of a slump with 14 hits in an 8-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. — Beckett (12-4) struck out 10 before leaving after Scott Hairston's leadoff triple …