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 …

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.

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.

Subway series-ous?  —  Mets' improved play has some fans thinking games with Yankees not as important as those within division  —  Ken Adair sat in the home dugout Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, dressed in full Yankees regalia, and sheepishly offered a shocking admission:

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.

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?

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 …

Springer Suspended for Throwing at Bonds  —  NEW YORK — Houston pitcher Russ Springer was suspended for four games Friday after throwing several times at Barry Bonds and eventually hitting the San Francisco star earlier this week.  —  Astros manager Phil Garner was suspended for one game and fined …

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.

O's Mora agrees to lucrative extension  —  Third baseman's deal is for three years with option for 2010  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles have called a press conference for 2 p.m. ET on Friday, when they are expected to announce that third baseman Melvin Mora has reached agreement …

Revenue sharing boils Steinbrenner's blood  —  George Steinbrenner slowly put his hands behind his head, sat back in the big leather chair and, after thinking about the question for a few moments, said, "I'd like to see everybody competing, but we're not a socialist state."  —  Revenue sharing.

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.

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 …

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 …

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. …