Don't Blame Matsui For Stinking Up The Place  —  NEW YORK - Last Saturday, when Kaz Matsui took the field for the second game of the Mets' doubleheader against the Giants, the much-maligned second baseman received his usual greeting from the fans.  —  He was booed without mercy.

Repeat after me: Let's play two, Rangers  —  BOSTON - Mother Nature refuses to make it easy on the Rangers when they come to Boston.  —  A steady rain for most of Saturday forced the postponement of the second game of the planned day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox.

Agent says Grimsley will fight team's decision not to pay him  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Jason Grimsley plans to fight the Arizona Diamondbacks' decision to withhold the remainder of his $825,000 salary, prompting an angry response from the team's managing general partner.

This Goose is still cookin'  —  Goose Gossage paid a visit to my office last Tuesday.  The big man is still sporting that upside-down handlebar mustache, only now it's completely white.  At 54, this is about the only noticeable physical change you'll find in him.

Time for baseball to back off and let the pros go to work  —  There are few things in life worse than a scorned mistress who talks too much.  —  Barry Bonds knows that better than most.  A woman named Kimberly Bell is a big part of the reason he may soon find himself in some serious trouble with the law.

Marlins-Padres Preview  —  Scott Olsen looks to win his third straight start when the Florida Marlins face the San Diego Padres in the middle game of their three-game series on Saturday at Petco Park.  —  Olsen (4-3, 5.60 ERA) had never previously won consecutive decisions over his two-season career …

Wood on DL, says he's not injured  —  CINCINNATI — Just four starts into his comeback from right shoulder surgery last August, Kerry Wood was put on the 15-day disabled list Friday.  Wood went there, however, emphasizing that he isn't injured, which is a unique way to land on the DL.

Angels stung by Seattle slam  —  Lackey surrenders big blast in fifth to Sexson  —  ANAHEIM — In this season of inconsistency, one of the few things the Angels can count on is John Lackey.  Unfortunately, that wasn't the case Saturday night as the Seattle Mariners bludgeoned Lackey and the Angels, 12-6.

Notes: DL delayed for Gagne  —  Closer likely will go on disabled list, but not until Tuesday  —  DENVER — By pitching into the ninth inning Friday night, Brad Penny bought the Dodgers a little time before they place Eric Gagne on the disabled list.  —  But manager Grady Little acknowledged …

Former Yankee Leyritz admits he tried HGH  —  NY Post  —  The clock was ticking against Jim Leyritz, and he knew it.  He had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder after the 2000 season and he did not have the normal recovery time — about a year — left on his baseball calendar.

Umpire Gregg remembered as charismatic figure  —  PHILADELPHIA — Eric Gregg was remembered Friday as a charismatic figure who touched everyone he met.  And every one, it seemed, had a story about the former umpire.  —  Son Kevin regaled a couple hundred mourners at his father's funeral …

Ernie Banks eyes bid for Chicago Cubs  —  Mr. Cub, investors show interest in team; but are they for sale?  —  (Crain's) — Ernie Banks wants to buy the Chicago Cubs and said so during a half-hour meeting last month with Dennis FitzSimons, the embattled CEO of team owner Tribune Co.

Brewers fall as Cardinals come back  —  De La Rosa placed on DL with blisters on his pitching hand  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers invited their No. 1 draft pick to take in a game at Miller Park on Friday night.  They gave right-hander Jeremy Jeffress a uniform and seats next to the dugout …

Best Nats Game Ever!!!  —  It's 12:41 AM.  I just finished watching the best Nationals game I've ever seen.  The Nats won 9-8 (on 17 hits!!!) on Robert Fick's game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning.  I was watching the game on TV, but by the third inning I was seriously considering getting …