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.

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.

Nationals Prevail in a Washington Marathon  —  The course of events took more than five-and-a-half hours.  It all began with rain, continued with an offensive explosion, deteriorated into a colossal collapse and then dragged on as last night turned into this morning, as certain victory turned into near-defeat.

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.

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 …

Grimsley no longer getting paid  —  Jason Grimsley will not receive the remainder of his $825,000 salary from the Diamondbacks this season, and if the players union wants to file a grievance, so be it, said Ken Kendrick, the club's managing general partner.  —  "It's the moral thing to do," Kendrick said Friday.

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 …

Jermaine Dye for MVP  —  I've never been one to worry about accolades and awards — I even thought that Jermain Dye's World Series MVP could have gone to Joe Crede — but it's time for Jermaine Dye to start getting some recognition for what he's done this season.  He leads the American League in slugging percentage at .690.

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 …

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.