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.

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.

Victorino is meeting Gillick's expectations  —  MILWAUKEE - Between the spring-training complex in Peoria, Ariz., and the glowing postseason report from Gene LaMont, new Phillies general manager Pat Gillick was sure Shane Victorino had this in him.  —  Entering last night …

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.

Notes: Ramirez sits with mild strain  —  Cubs third baseman likely to return for weekend series  —  CHICAGO — Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was sidelined on Thursday with a mild strain in his lower back, but he is expected to play this weekend in the Interleague series against the White Sox.

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.

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.

Former All-Star Belle arrested in stalking case  —  Former American League All-Star Albert Belle was arrested on a new stalking charge for allegedly making phone calls to a woman he already was charged with harassing.  —  The 39-year-old Belle was arrested by Scottsdale, Ariz. …

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 …

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 …

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 …