Let the good times roll  —  Sweet Caroline.  Good times never seemed so good.  —  The Red Sox last night won their 12th consecutive game, which ties for the third-longest winning streak in the 106-year history of the franchise.  They beat the NL East-leading Mets, 4-2, improving their record to 14-1 against the National League.

For Schneider, They Aren't Prime Numbers  —  TORONTO, June 29 — On June 9, Brian Schneider went 3 for 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies, raising his average to .248.  It wasn't much, but it was a start, and there was every reason to believe Schneider — who entered this season …

Angels searching for the right mix  —  The right move for the Angels won't just be Jered Weaver, but Stoneman isn't panicked.  —  ANAHEIM - For now, the Angels will have to wait for another flight from a minor-league town to try to patch their problems.  —  The team plans to bring …

Rangers get Haigwood for Castro  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The Rangers managed to get something out of the Fabio Castro affair.  —  Essentially, they got Castro with options.  —  The Rangers sent Castro, a 21-year-old left-hander who began his career with the Chicago White Sox organization …

Steinbrenner's spending has AL on top  —  George Steinbrenner turns 76 on the Fourth of July.  His legacy as owner of the New York Yankees is secure.  —  The Boss made the American League into a powerful beast.  —  In the B.S. era (before Steinbrenner), the AL had turned meek and out of date.

Three Long Days in Boston  —  If the last three days were supposed to be a preview of this year's Fall Classic, then Mets fans probably want a do-over.  —  However, this is the best thing that could have happened to the 2006 Mets.  They were getting far too comfortable in their perch atop the NL East.

All-Time Dodgers-Angels Team Is Quite the Cast  —  They've shared or competed for the affections of Southern Californians since 1961, coexisted in the same stadium — one calling it Dodger Stadium and the other Chavez Ravine — from 1962 through 1965, and, again, jointly use the prefix Los Angeles.

Yanks do A-Rod an in-Justice  —  David Justice's pointed critique of Alex Rodriguez Tuesday night on the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network was not a solo act.  —  A variety of moles, some embedded inside YES, said Justice, the network's pre- and postgame studio analyst, was strongly encouraged …

Prospectus Today  —  Friars  —  Later today, I'll be headed down to San Diego to see the Padres and Giants, part of BP's Ballpark Feed event.  We'll have Sandy Alderson, Dave Pease and Barry Bonds, which is a pretty solid lineup, all things considered.  I'll actually see the Giants twice …

Prospectus Notebook  —  Rockies, Yankees  —  COLORADO ROCKIES  —  In his first year with the Colorado Rockies, 32 year-old Jamey Carroll has become a fast fan favorite.  Why shouldn't he be?  As of Thursday afternoon, his batting line was .329/.402/.441, a significant part of the reason …

Phlop  —  Philadelphia sports fans have a well-earned reputation for being hostile.  —  Sometimes you can't blame them, really.  —  The Phillies opened 2006 with four straight losses, and proceeded to win 22 of their next 33. which included a nine-game winning streak from April 30 to May 9.

Reds give manager Narron, GM Krivsky extensions  —  CINCINNATI — The eight-game winning streak that vaulted the Cincinnati Reds into first place in the NL Central earlier this month convinced their new owner that things were headed in the right direction.  —  The ensuing slump didn't change Bob Castellini's mind.