Bonilla backs Bonds  —  Longtime friend says boos at Shea won't upset Bonds  —  So the Barry Bonds Road Show comes to Shea Stadium tonight, and don't expect the Mets fans' reception to faze him.  So says a former Met who knows Bonds, and rude treatment in Flushing, about as well as anyone.

Phils option struggling Floyd to Minors  —  Right-hander sent down to Triple-A, replaced by southpaw Brito  —  LOS ANGELES — Enough was enough.  —  Gavin Floyd's performance on Thursday was enough for the Phillies to option the struggling right-hander to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Other Left Fielder at Shea  —  As a flood of reporters swarmed Lastings Milledge after the Mets' 13-inning victory Wednesday night, Cliff Floyd stood alone by his locker observing his latest pupil.  Milledge answered each question patiently (like Floyd), mixing self-deprecating humor …

Notes: Back spasms sideline Rivera  —  Torre hopes closer's injury doesn't linger  —  DETROIT — The Yankees' injury report got a little longer on Thursday, but New York is hoping that the newest name on the list won't be there for long.  —  Mariano Rivera experienced spasms in his lower …

Dawn of the Dead  —  If we have learned anything from the past few seasons, it's that it's always too early to count a team out.  How many of us know-it-all instapundits believed the Astros were dead and buried last season when they began 15-30?  On June 15, Houston was 26-38.  And they weren't even a good 26-38.

From Way Out in Right Field  —  Yankees Fan Who Beat O's in Stands Could Join Them in Dugout  —  This is a story about fate, a story about a curse — if you care to believe in such things.  It is a story about coming to grips with them, and maybe, just maybe, reversing them.

Future Shock  —  NL Draft Preview  —  Scouting Director: Mike Rizzo.  Rizzo is one of the senior scouting directors out there, having been in charge of the Arizona drafts since 2000.  His last three drafts have consistently been among the best in baseball.In 2003, he selected Conor Jackson …

Hey fake fans: Make like Damon and leave  —  They show up like every day is Christmas, and you know what that means: You just lost your seat at church.  You have shown up week after week, year after year, and now you have to stand behind the last pew because of some lady with an obnoxious pink hat.

Padres don't see trade imbalance  —  Bay's statistics better, but Giles leads in intangibles  —  PITTSBURGH - Any time the Padres and Pirates meet these days, subject one on the table is The Trade.  —  Sports talk shows in Pittsburgh were abuzz with the subject yesterday.

Rangers' aim in draft is bigger, younger  —  Time will tell if quality pitching staff will come of new draft philosophy  —  It sounds so simple: Draft talented pitchers, develop them in the minor league system and watch them become important major league arms.

Prospectus Notebook  —  Rockies, Dodgers  —  COLORADO ROCKIES  —  Historically, the most significant problem in Rockies baseball is the lack of pitching talent.  The lineup has never really been as potent as it is believed to be—the 1995 playoff squad made it as far as it did on the strength …

Lords of the stance  —  Individuality proves it's not how you start, but how you finish  —  "The one unbreakable rule about hitting is this: If a batter hits well with his own particular stance and swing, think twice — or more — before suggesting a change."  — Stan Musial

Smoltz set to face D-Backs  —  Arizona (31-22) at Atlanta (28-26), 7:35 p.m. ET  —  After dropping the first game of a four-game series with Arizona, Atlanta will look to get back on track and even the series as John Smoltz takes the mound on Friday night at Turner Field.

Asian-American group decries North remark  —  Mike North's detractors are split.  —  Many advocate ignoring the WSCR-AM 670 morning man, while others wish to see him reprimanded for the occasionally insensitive things that roll off his tongue.  —  North said something Tuesday that drew …