Bonds still a big player, but hardly the only one  —  For the past year, Barry Bonds has been the scapegoat.  That is what his defenders say.  Some are his fellow major leaguers.  Others describe themselves as baseball fans.  —  Why, these people ask, are so many fingers pointing at Bonds …

Rain keeps pouring it on  —  Sox likely to play makeup in Sept.  —  Yankee Stadium was a picture of gray serenity after daylong showers postponed last night's Yankees-Red Sox game.  (AP Photo)  —  NEW YORK — Along with the injuries, the Manny Moments, and the save total next to Jonathan Papelbon's name …

Built to last  —  Milledge lends hand as Tom tops Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES - Lastings Milledge's right arm was in the spotlight once again last night.  But it wasn't for high-fiving Dodger fans at Chavez Ravine.  —  The rookie sensation gunned down Nomar Garciaparra in the eighth inning …

Nats Add Former Orioles Manager as a Consultant  —  In a move that will further prepare the Washington Nationals for what could be a flurry of deals before the July 31 trade deadline, General Manager Jim Bowden yesterday hired former major league manager Davey Johnson as a special consultant …

With Sheffield Still Injured, Cabrera Makes a Case to Stay  —  Like most people, Johnny Damon had one major impression of Melky Cabrera before the season.  Damon, the Yankees' center fielder, remembered Cabrera breaking the wrong way on a liner by Trot Nixon at Fenway Park last July, turning it into an inside-the-park home run.

Ortiz outduels Smoltz in finale  —  Washington takes series in Atlanta behind solid pitching  —  ATLANTA — It was a night of improbabilities for the Washington Nationals.  —  The Nationals not only beat John Smoltz, who hadn't lost to this franchise since 1994, they did so behind …

Notes: Gagne shut down for a few days  —  Closer experiences soreness in elbow, MRI shows no damage  —  LOS ANGELES — An MRI on Eric Gagne's elbow Wednesday revealed swelling around the ulnar nerve but no structural damage.  He has not yet been placed on the disabled list.

Draft winners & losers (cont.)  —  Best One-Two Punch: Mike Rizzo earns praise every year for his drafts, and this one is no different as his Arizona Diamondbacks collected yet another solid group of players.  The class is led by Max Scherzer, just four months removed from sitting alone atop the Royals' (and others) draft board.

2006 Draft: Atlanta Braves  —  TOTAL PICKS:  —  54 (College: 6, High School: 23, Juco: 24, Other: 0)  —  Position Players: 17 Pitchers: 37  —  Players signed indicated in Bold  —  Round  —  Overall  —  Team  —  Player  —  Position  —  Bonus

Birmingham Southern Headed To Division III  —  Citing financial disappointments, the board of trustees at Birmingham-Southern College voted to drop its athletic program from NCAA Division I to Division III, affecting 193 athletes at the small liberal arts school.

Notes: Colon's return imminent  —  Could join Angels on Sunday, bump Jered Weaver from rotation  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Angels are expecting the return of Bartolo Colon soon, possibly by Sunday.  —  Colon did not suffer any setbacks following Tuesday's 82-pitch outing and also maintained …