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.

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.

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.

Prior passes another test  —  Throws 38 pitches over two innings for Rookie Leaguers  —  CHICAGO — Mark Prior threw two innings in a Rookie League exhibition game Friday in Mesa, Ariz., and passed the initial test, Chicago Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said.

Hamels solid early, but Phils falter late  —  Early three-run lead doesn't hold up against Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — Not even the phenom could prevent the Brew Crew's penchant for a late-inning rally.  —  Better stated, not even Cole Hamels could stop another bullpen malfunction.

Notes: Reds sign veteran Mays  —  Released by Royals, righty agrees to Minor League contract  —  DETROIT — The Reds' latest transaction certainly fell under the oft-used baseball mantra that you can never have enough pitching.  —  But how much pitching former All-Star Joe Mays can still provide a big-league team remains a mystery.

Astros won't appeal  —  Springer, Garner suspended for beaning Bonds  —  HOUSTON (AP) — 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.

Game 42 Open Thread: May 19, 2006  —  so how does it feel to be a royals fan these days?  my compadre Will over at Royals Review summed it up here, after watching his team blow a 3-run lead in the 9th innings to the orioles last weekend: … ouch.  this is a franchise, let's not forget …

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.

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 …

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 …

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) …