Randolph surprised by Feliciano  —  Manager says he'll have a talk after reliever questions decisions  —  NEW YORK — The strains of the last week never have been evident on the face of Willie Randolph.  The Mets manager has preached no panic and lived it as well, maintaining the even temperament he demonstrated as a player.

Blame Guillen, not Redman  —  This is going to sound derogatory toward Royals pitcher Mark Redman, and I don't mean it that way.  This is not his fault.  Redman has had a trying year with his father's serious health issues.  And Lord knows he's the first Royals pitcher to win five starts in a row since …

If Trade Is Made, Torre Will Take Hitter Over Pitcher  —  CLEVELAND, July 4 — Joe Torre continues to insist that the Yankees' fortunes depend on starting pitching.  But a team has to score runs to win, of course, and the Yankees have not done enough of that lately.

Notes: Petit recalled to start Wednesday  —  Pitcher has thrown seven times in relief for the Fish this season  —  WASHINGTON — With a doubleheader against the Mets looming over the weekend and in need of another starter, Marlins manager Joe Girardi will hand the ball to Yusmeiro Petit on Wednesday against the Nationals.

Nationals walk off with July 4th victory  —  Zimmerman launches game-winning three-run shot  —  WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman's home run in the bottom of the ninth inning catapulted the Nationals to a second victory over the Marlins, 6-4, in front of 23,118 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Padres-Phillies Preview  —  When the Phillies recalled highly touted pitching prospect Cole Hamels on May 12, he was expected to strengthen the rotation and help them contend for a division title.  —  Instead, Hamels will try to avoid his fifth straight loss and Philadelphia (37-44) …

At times, a maddening shift  —  TAMPA — As David Ortiz stepped into the batter's box to face lefthander Scott Kazmir with two away and the bases empty in the first inning of last night's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, this is what he saw.  —  Third baseman Aubrey Huff was playing your basic left field.

Prospectus Hit List  —  Week of July 3  —  Rk  —  Team  —  Overall W-L  —  Week W-L  —  Hit List Factor  —  Trend  —  Even after a fundamentally atrocious Saturday, the Tigers remain atop the Hit List.  The search is on for a left-handed power bat, possibly capable of playing …

Stats Geek: Pirates could top 1-run loss record  —  The Pirates' annual hunt for dead October is particularly frustrating this year.  Not because there was ever legitimate hope for a winning season, but because there is so much dashed hope in so many winnable games.  —  Maybe it's time to change our strategy as fans.

Power Rankings: Amazing stretch has Twins on prowl  —  For most teams, a nine-game deficit is no cause to celebrate.  —  The Minnesota Twins will take it.  And the way they're playing, they might even be able to do something with it.  —  One of the pariahs of this space early in the first half …

There'll Never Be Another 4th Like This  —  Many learned observers recognize the July 4 game between the Mets and the Braves in 1985 to be one of the games most memorable.  In my seven years with the club I vividly remember Game 6 at Houston in 1986 and the last few dizzying moments of Game 6 against the Red Sox of the same year.

Doc says Rangers' Millwood improved  —  Team will use caution with aching biceps; next start may be after break  —  ARLINGTON - Kevin Millwood said he felt better Monday and doesn't want to talk about missing a start right now.  But it seems unlikely the Rangers are going to let their $60 million ace make that decision.