NL | Astros pitcher Brandon Backe makes case to play every day

The Astros Dugout • Brandon Backe and Chris Sampson Shut Out Nats
Brandon pretty much kept the baseball out of the middle of the plate - went 7 innings, 5 hits (1 double) 4 walks and 5 K. He loaded the bases in the 2nd with 2 singles and a walk, but got Odalis Perez out to strand the runners. He then gave up 2 ...

MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com • Twins Inquire On Adrian Beltre
The Twins' interest in Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre has graduated from internal to external, according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune .  Neal is not sure how far the two teams got in their trade discussion.  ...

East Windup Chronicle • Right Here, Get Yer Richie Sexton Jersey on Sale Right Here
Not sure where our All-star reader (and scout) Mark snapped this (could it be at Safeco?), but I’m sure there are a number of Seattle-area stores having similar sales this week. I’d love to see an interview with someone who actually buys ...

Knuckle Curve - Baseball News • Midseason Baseball Awards 2008 - MLB Awards
AL MVP - Josh Hamilton , Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler and Milton Bradley are playing very well for the Rangers. However, I believe that it is Hamilton who is the backbone of that team’s lineup. Take him away and the Rangers wouldn’t be ...

Mariners Minors • Game Recaps (7/13/08)
Tacoma 5, Las Vegas 3 (LA + 2) RHP Scott Shoemaker (5.47, W) got the start and went five and a third innings, giving up a run on four hits (HR), a walk, and three Ks. LHP Jason Kershner (3.38) pitched the next inning and let a run score on a hit, ...

M's head into All-Star break with 4-3 victory over Kansas City
Manager Jim Riggleman hopes the club that finished the unofficial first half of its schedule with a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday will enjoy far better results on the won-lost scale. But while he expects improved on-field play, he ...

Notebook | Timely blast helps Jeff Clement bust slump
Slumping catcher Jeff Clement had hoped for any type of hit to jump-start his slumbering bat. He got just about the biggest one possible...

Dazzling Tim Lincecum cuffs Cubs with his arm, bat
Dempster (10-4), one of eight Cubs selected for Tuesday's game at Yankee Stadium, entered with a 10-0 record in 11 home starts, but was overshadowed by another brilliant start by Lincecum (11-2). The 24-year-old right-hander from the University of ...

AquaSox pitchers shut out Tri-City
Three Everett pitchers combined on a seven-hitter as the AquaSox beat Tri-City 8-0 in Northwest League baseball Sunday night. Kenn Kasparek (1-0) started...

Wilson, LaHair lift Rainiers to 5-3 victory over Las Vegas
Craig Wilson hit his first home run for Tacoma and Bryan LaHair went 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles as the Rainiers beat Las Vegas 5-3 in...