Slaying the dragon  —  Brilliant Glavine, HR by Lo Duca clinch rare series win at Turner  —  ATLANTA - Tom Glavine refers to the pose as his "fright filter," and after years of late-inning heartbreak at Turner Field, the Mets are quite familiar with that self-defense mechanism.

Pitchers Schilling, Kazmir get their signals crossed up  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Scott Kazmir and Casey Fossum were wandering around on their first day in Boston before last week's Red Sox-Devil Rays series when Kazmir spied Curt Schilling, the pitcher who as a 17-year-old he had watched …

His past behind him, Day starts today  —  Nationals notes  —  ST. LOUIS — Zach Day today will start for the Washington Nationals for the first time in nearly a year.  Both Day and the Nationals can only hope the outcome is better this time around.  —  His previous start with the Nationals …

Dodgers-Padres Preview  —  The San Diego Padres are desperate for some offense.  A win would also be welcome.  —  They'll look to end a five-game losing streak when they wrap up a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on Sunday.  —  The Padres (8-15) …

Angry White Sox Beat Angels  —  Chicago Manager Guillen is mad at Scioscia after Escobar hits Pierzynski during L.A.'s 2-1 loss.  —  Did he or didn't he?  —  Did Angel pitcher Kelvim Escobar hit Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski on purpose on Saturday as payback for last year's American League championship series?

Tracy on Freddy Sanchez  —  Anyone who doubts that Jim Tracy is just Lloyd McClendon redux needs to check out today's Post-Gazette: … Got that?  Maybe the way to get players to hit is to play them less.  Granted, there's no good evidence whatsoever to support this hypothesis, but it still sounds pretty awesome.

Kendall doesn't share same view as critics  —  He was hounded last year for his low percentage in nabbing base stealers  —  A's notebook  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A's catcher Jason Kendall came under considerable criticism last year for his inability to throw out runners consistently.

Struggle may be thing of the past  —  CLEVELAND — During batting practice at Jacobs Field on Saturday, Rangers manager Buck Showalter watched Brad Wilkerson walk by and softly said, "He's coming around.  Knock on wood, but he had some of his best at-bats [Friday night]."

Cohen places!  —  Gary's style picture perfect on the tube  —  When SportsNet New York suits hired Gary Cohen to be their Mets play-by-play voice, many knee jerks raised a non-issue.  It was this: Could Cohen make the transition from radio to television?  —  Stupidity has no limits.

Notes: Mum's word with minor injuries  —  Club patient with De La Rosa; Rivera on a tear in Minors  —  CHICAGO — The Brewers are not the only team taking a "don't ask, won't tell" policy on minor injuries.  —  Cubs catcher Michael Barrett was scolded by manager Dusty Baker before the series …

O's lose a lead and 4 players … It was still just a two-run deficit yesterday when the Orioles took the field for the top of the seventh inning with an infield arrangement more suited for Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in early March than Camden Yards in late April.

TOUCHING THE IVY AT WRIGLEY FIELD  —  Growing up in Alabama, I always watched the Cubs on cable TV.  What I remember the most as a kid is they always sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame in the seventh inning.  That, and the ivy on the wall.  It was pretty cool riding up to Wrigley Field for the first time in the cab.

All-Star Week plans announced  —  City of Pittsburgh ready to show off at Midsummer Classic  —  PITTSBURGH — With the July 11 Midsummer Classic just 77 days away, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Major League Baseball and local officials are gearing up for what will be an exciting week of baseball in the Steel City.