Padres aim to get even with Mets  —  New York Mets (11-4) vs. San Diego (6-9), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  At times like this, in the wake of a distressing defeat, a cool-handed veteran is the ideal antidote.  The Padres, accordingly, turn to Woody Williams, their most experienced moundsman …

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 …

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.

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.

Royals could get worse if trades happen  —  As bad as the Royals are, they could get worse.  —  One American League executive says that he would prefer to play the Royals in the second half, reasoning that the team likely will trade first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek …

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.

Soriano's three homers lift Nats  —  Washington downs Atlanta with four-run eighth inning  —  WASHINGTON — A wild pitch by Mike Remlinger and Alfonso Soriano's third home run of the game helped the Nationals defeated the Braves, 7-3, in front of 24,597 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Friday night.

Advice For The Cublorn  —  No, that's wrong.  You can panic now.  —  Mike & I went to see Spamalot last night — he had missed the show when our merry little bleacher band went to see it last year, and so with its touring-company return last year, I decided it was worth seeing again.

Nationals GM Bowden regrets 'embarrassment'  —  WASHINGTON — In his first public comments since being charged with drunken driving, Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Friday he regretted "the embarrassment" and strongly denied scuffling with his girlfriend shortly before their arrests.

To many, organs give life to baseball  —  Several parks proud to embrace game's rich musical tradition  —  CHICAGO — White Sox organist Nancy Faust could be described as one part entertainer, one part musician and one part mad scientist.  How else could the following scenario be explained?

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.

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.

2006 Power Rankings: Champs back on top  —  Maybe it's not quite as prestigious as winning a World Series trophy, but the Chicago White Sox are once again looking down upon the MLB kingdom as the No. 1 team in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings.  —  The defending champions …

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.

Rockies designate Day for assignment  —  Rockies designate Day for assignment  —  DENVER (AP) — Zach Day's struggles have opened the door for Miguel Asencio to return to a major league mound for the first time in nearly three years.  —  The Colorado Rockies designated Day for assignment Friday …

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.