Notes: DH gives Cubs extra hitter  —  Barrett gets extra at-bats; Wood's soreness 'good'  —  CHICAGO — Catcher Michael Barrett was looking forward to being the designated hitter for the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of their three-game Interleague series against the Chicago White Sox.

Yankees, Mets coexist despite their differences … The Yankees and Mets have a few things in common besides their New York domiciles.  They've both had Casey Stengel and Joe Torre as managers.  They've both had Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry as reclamation projects.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Long Shot  —  You can shake a dozen glove men out of a tree, but the bat separates the men from the boys.  —  If you don't recognize the name of the guy who imparted that little bit of baseball wisdom, listen up.  He was a journeyman among journeymen and it's been 50 years since he had his hour …

Yankees OF Crosby on 15-day disabled list  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees put Bubba Crosby on the 15-day disabled list Friday, the third outfielder they've sidelined in the last two weeks.  —  Sluggers Gary Sheffield (left wrist and hand) and Hideki Matsui (broken left wrist) …

Clemens ponders future  —  As recently as May 1, Roger Clemens went to bed convinced he was going to retire.  He didn't make it through the night.  —  "He told me he woke up in the middle of the night," said Randy Hendricks, who with his brother Alan represents the free-agent pitcher …