Agent: Crisp will crack Sox' lineup soon  —  PHILADELPHIA — Coco Crisp's return to the Red Sox lineup was set back when he required surgery last week to alleviate a painful kidney stone condition that developed complications.  But his agent said yesterday the center fielder has ''started …

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.

After loss, M's need to talk — and they do  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Mariners had one for the record books Thursday.  —  Not the game — the 6-3 loss to the Athletics was fairly routine.  —  We're talking about the postgame meeting in the clubhouse, a talk-and-answer session that lasted a full 57 minutes.

Stewart's legend larger than blue ox  —  This week the variables fell into place.  The offense slumped, the home field didn't host many home runs, so the question flooded the e-mail inbox: When is the kid coming up?  —  Folks remember Ian Stewart in the same way they think of Paul Bunyan.

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.

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 …

Perez ruins surprise ending  —  Everybody on the Cubs agreed it was a good first step back for Kerry Wood, even if there were too many missteps overall that led to a 5-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday at Wrigley Field.  —  Ultimately, though, Wood (0-1) was thrust into the background by how the game finished.

Dodgers: Martin catching on  —  Rookie proving he belongs in the majors  —  The Dodgers stand at the cusp of a monumental decision, one that could affect the direction of the franchise for years to come.  —  With the Angels coming in to renew the Freeway Series beginning tonight …

Money Is A.L.'s Thumb on the Power Scale  —  THE American League has won 7 of the last 10 World Series.  The American League has won the last 8 All-Star Games played to a decision and 14 of the past 17.  Last season, the American League gained a 136-116 edge in interleague games.  Do we see a trend here?

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.

For Cameron, it's service with a smile  —  We interrupt the feel-bad baseball story of the year — a cumulative 25-11, three-game sweep by the A's in Oakland — to reminisce about the feel-good story of five years ago.  —  Really, there's no other way.  Given the cruelties of the present …

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 …

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 …