Settled in: Cordero sets up 6-2 win  —  NEW YORK - When the Rangers finally decided to make "the switch" three weeks ago, they understood the difficulties.  The hard part of dumping a closer isn't the actual breakup.  It's getting him to remain a reliable friend.  —  So far, the Rangers have done the seemingly impossible.

Snow Requests Trade  —  Agent Says First Baseman Wants More Playing Time  —  BALTIMORE — J.T. Snow realizes the only way he's going to play more is with another team.  The Red Sox are looking to help him out by attempting to trade him, Snow's agent Dan Horwits said Wednesday.

New twist to old rivalry … ROCKVILLE // On one wall of David Cope's basement hangs an autographed color print of the late Baltimore Colts legend John Unitas.  On another is mounted a game ball from the first win in Ravens history.  —  Those particular sports items may be puzzling to those who know Cope …

Cordero Answers The Call  —  Nationals' Closer, Bullpen Salvages Finale in Chicago: Nationals 5, Cubs 3  —  CHICAGO, May 18 — With the tying runs on base and the winning run at the plate, Frank Robinson stepped out of the visitors' dugout Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field to pay a visit to his closer …

Agent talks trade for first baseman: Club catches Snow's drift  —  PHILADELPHIA - The Red Sox have indicated to J.T. Snow that they will look into trading him, the seldom-used first baseman's agent said yesterday.  —  "Both sides have been talking, everyone - J.T., Tito (manager Terry Francona) …

Angels' Loss Raises Tempers  —  Erstad is heard in clubhouse yelling at teammates to not point fingers after team blows two chances to win during an 8-4, 10-inning loss to Toronto.  —  The tensions of a highly disappointing season and the frustration of one of the most excruciating …

Mets in starter trouble  —  Lima rocked, Bannister suffers setback  —  ST. LOUIS - An hour after Willie Randolph acknowledged that Brian Bannister figured to bump Jose Lima or Jeremi Gonzalez from the roster, the rookie pitcher suffered a setback that prevents an imminent return.

Mounting Injuries Trump Wright's Outing  —  Willie Randolph called Joe Torre a few days ago, one New York manager reaching out to another.  Randolph was trying to congratulate Torre on his 1,000th victory with the Yankees, but Torre admitted he had not called back.

Enjoy the ride  —  Mets, Yanks could be on course for World Series showdown  —  Year 10 of interleague play kicks off tonight, with no matchup more responsible for the concept's success than our own Subway Series.  —  At Shea Stadium, the Mets and Yankees will face off for the 49th …

Pedro prediction on right track  —  ST. LOUIS — Not long after signing with the Mets, Pedro Martinez predicted his new organization might not be the second citizen in the Big Apple much longer.  —  "After this season, I don't know if we'll be second," the ace proclaimed at the team's winter caravan in January 2005.

Reds pitcher continues verbal assault  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  Bronson Arroyo didn't back down Thursday from the disparaging comments he made against the Pirates one night earlier.  Instead, he stepped up and continued to assail his former team.  —  Arroyo, the losing pitcher …

Baseball Returns on Fox  —  Fox begins its 11th season of baseball coverage Saturday with four regional telecasts, including the Angels and Dodgers.  —  The announcers will be Kenny Albert and Steve Lyons and the game will be shown in 13% of the country.  —  To promote the start …

Hansen starting to hone his skills  —  Possibilities endless for power pitcher  —  Jonathan Papelbon, cast in the minors as a workhorse starting pitcher, leads the major leagues in saves with 14.  Craig Hansen, the reliever billed last summer and this spring as the Red Sox' future closer …