1 for (dark) ages  —  2 grand slams pace 11-run 6th, send Mets to easy victory  —  The Cubs already set franchise records this year by going winless in a season series against one club, San Diego, and by serving up eight home runs in a game to two clubs, Atlanta and Detroit.

Petco gets case of Coors  —  Pitcher's park a homer haven for Braves  —  No one is sure exactly why, but Petco Park is playing much smaller this year.  —  Whether the enhanced home run climate works for or against the Padres remains to be fully seen, but the home team is grateful the Braves won't soon return.

Five-run fifth dooms Sox to defeat  —  Boston batters struggle to solve Oakland starter Blanton  —  BOSTON — Through four innings, Red Sox righty Kyle Snyder was looking like he could be the ace of any staff in baseball, and not the No. 5 starter that Boston called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Mariners tripped up by Jays in 11th  —  Betancourt ties game in ninth, but club falls in extra innings  —  TORONTO — As he tugged at his sweat-soaked undershirt on Sunday, Emiliano Fruto tried to describe how the humid conditions inside Rogers Centre made pitching so miserable.

Notes: Rauch had a personal issue  —  Reliever was unexpectedly unavailable during Saturday's loss  —  PITTSBURGH — After Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Pirates, manager Frank Robinson was asked why he didn't pinch-hit for Roy Corcoran in the top of the ninth inning and use another pitcher in the bottom of the inning.

Mets bring back Bell; Tides take on Fonzie  —  CHICAGO - Heath Bell, whose last trip to join the Mets resulted in a U-turn to Triple-A Norfolk, will be back with the big-league club today.  Bell replaces Henry Owens, who allowed four runs in his one inning of work yesterday, though the decision was made before the rookie's outing.

Astros need to plug leaks in bullpen  —  MIAMI — After his relievers had yet another bad day at the office Sunday, Phil Garner issued what sounded like a threat.  —  "I'm going to keep pitching 'em," he said.  —  You just choked on your cornflakes, didn't you?  —  Actually, Garner has no choice.

Mariners have strong interest in Soriano  —  The Mariners see an opportunity.  Few teams can afford to rent Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano, a potential free agent, for the final two months of the season.  And the Angels, the team for whom Soriano represents perhaps the best fit …

No-hit Tracey's back  —  Pitcher says he's learned much from June incident  —  NEW YORK — Sean Tracey rejoined the White Sox on Sunday with three lessons learned.  —  "Protect your team, do your job, and, no offense to you guys, but watch what you say to the media, because it's going to be twisted and turned," Tracey said.

Mench seeing more bench  —  Outfielder loses playing time; club may consider using him in trade  —  BALTIMORE - The Rangers do not want to trade Kevin Mench.  His play, however, makes them consider the possibilities.  —  Mench went 1-for-11 in the first three games of the second half …

Shades of 1987 for Cards  —  The Cardinals on Sunday completed their first four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers here since July 7-8, 1987, when they won back-to-back twi-night doubleheaders.  The second game of both doubleheaders went 10 innings, with the first nightcap lasting almost until 3 a.m. …

Stressed, but not fractured  —  A patchwork outfield excelled under pressure as the Twins beat Cleveland for the third game in a row.  They will need more of the same, because Torii Hunter has a stress fracture and will miss at least two weeks.  —  Michael Cuddyer homered.

Game over  —  Rivera saves No. 400 as Yankees sweep White Sox  —  NEW YORK (AP) — With the souvenir ball from his 400th save nestled gently in the pocket of his mitt, Mariano Rivera got a warm hug from a grateful Joe Torre and flashed his proudest smile.  —  The closer by which all closers …

Lab is helping baseball to clean up its act  —  LOS ANGELES — You can't work here if you're an athlete.  And forget about getting a lab coat if you are a fan or rotisserie league geek.  The man who runs the world's best sports drug-testing laboratory has no interest in hiring chemists …