Nats Use Clutch Hit To Drive Home Win  —  Johnson's Double Completes Comeback: Nationals 8, Pirates 4  —  PITTSBURGH, July 16 — Jose Vidro stood in the batter's box, bat rested on his shoulder, as Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roberto Hernandez began lobbing balls toward the plate.

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.

Willis makes day special  —  Brandon Martin, an 8-year-old Dontrelle Willis fan from Lauderdale Lakes, spent part of Sunday playing catch with, then taking batting practice against his favorite Marlin in an outing arranged by Chef David's Kids.  —  Brandon, who is afflicted …

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.

Historic inning lifts Mets  —  Floyd and Beltran belt grand slams in club-record 11-run sixth  —  CHICAGO — Cliff Floyd was looking for a fresh start in the second half.  What better place to be reborn than his hometown?  —  Floyd hit a grand slam that helped spark a club-record 11-run sixth 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.

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.

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.

GM Interview: Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Part I  —  Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing one of the bright young minds in the game of baseball today.  Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, agreed to speak with us …

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 …

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.

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. …