Oldie is still a goodie  —  Franco's pinch HR sparks six-run rally as trip begins with a win  —  SAN DIEGO — The Mets approached last night's game against the Padres with an all-hands-on-deck mentality.  They emptied the trainer's room and even the forgotten Kaz Matsui …

Piazza happy with his new surroundings  —  After spending nearly eight seasons with the Mets, Mike Piazza has been with the Padres for only seven home games.  But when someone asked him yesterday about the biggest difference between playing in New York and San Diego, he didn't hesitate.

Will ounce of prevention be the best medicine?  —  It was a 6-4 homestand.  Good?  Disappointing?  Too close to call?  —  With a fraction under 10 percent of the season in the books, there is one safe thing we can say about the 2006 edition of the Boston Red Sox: They have come exactly as advertised.

Showalter says Cordero still Rangers' closer  —  SEATTLE - In the wake of his second blown save in eight days, Rangers closer Francisco Cordero and pitching coach Mark Connor insisted the pitcher isn't abandoning his fastball for the slider.  —  That's right, manager Buck Showalter agreed.

Wells may retire: Knee woes worry lefty  —  David Wells said he will abruptly pull the plug on his 20th and final major league season if his knee problems do not start to improve or if he discovers that he is risking his future health by continuing to pitch.

Yankees top $1B in Forbes valuation  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees became the first baseball team valued at more than $1 billion in the annual estimates made by Forbes magazine.  —  The Yankees' value increased 8 percent to $1.026 billion, the magazine estimated in its May 8 issue, which was released Thursday.

Wrist of fate  —  2 broken bones likely to bench Lee at least 2 months; Cubs sift options  —  Derrek Lee could miss at least two months with a broken right wrist, putting the injury-plagued Cubs in the same boat in which they capsized last summer.  —  Lee will be in a cast for up to six weeks …

Cards-Cubs: Not another series for fans  —  The Chicago Cubs and their fond faithful will make their first visit to the newest of the Busch stadiums tonight.  And other than an aberration last year when they won the season series here five games to three, the Cubs have found wins difficult …

Prospectus Today  —  On Edmonds  —  Jim Edmonds, Hall of Famer.  —  What's your first reaction to that?  A quiet nod?  A horrified recoil?  Something in between?  —  I've been playing with this idea for a while, mentioning Edmonds as my personal choice for a "stealth" Hall of Fame candidate whenever asked for one.

Go 2 Guy: Where have all the M's fans gone?  —  For the third consecutive game, there were more empty seats than fans at Safeco Field Thursday night.  —  Tuesday's game set a record low for attendance at Safeco Field until Wednesday's game went even lower, down to 17,613 fans.

Johnson, Nationals Pound the Phillies  —  Traber Also Contributes as Robinson Wins 1,000th: Nationals 10, Phillies 4  —  PHILADELPHIA, April 20 — Nick Johnson's manager knows something about hitting, and that means he knows something about the feeling Johnson must have right now.

Notes: Kolb cleared to return  —  Right-hander eyes return to Brewers bullpen  —  MILWAUKEE — Dr. William Raasch, the Brewers' team physician, cleared reliever Dan Kolb for a bullpen session on Thursday, and the right-hander hopes to return to active duty by Friday.

Bonds sits again; Giants insist that he's just resting  —  PHOENIX - Barry Bonds was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Thursday because of general soreness, although Giants Manager Felipe Alou emphasized that the left fielder's specific physical problems had not worsened.

He's no talk, all action  —  "George Hendrick is probably one of the best clubhouse coaches I've ever been around.  He is universally liked by every baseball player or person who's ever been affiliated with him.  He's very introspective and bright.  He's very straightforward and honest.