Ortiz Eases Pain  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox roster is so out of whack that it is no lie to say there were as many position players on the disabled list (Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek) as available reserves (Gabe Kapler, Javy Lopez) Friday night.  —  Mike Lowell, nursing a sore foot …

Washington whacks Padres around  —  One lesson the summer of 2005 taught the Padres is that no matter how badly you play, no matter how stagnant you appear, you can still win the National League West.  —  Maybe this summer is more of the same as the Padres sputter and stumble yet continue to lead a motley pack.

WAGNER CALLS LIDLE 'CHICKEN'  —  Billy Wagner called former Phillies teammate Cory Lidle "chicken" yesterday for blasting the Phils only after Lidle was out the door.  —  Wagner basically agreed with Lidle's message - that the Phillies were uninspired and didn't exhibit a winning attitude every day.

Miller will join Tigers for stretch run  —  Sixth overall pick signs, expected to pitch in 'pen for now  —  DETROIT — The Tigers added a left-handed reliever for the stretch run Friday.  The trick is, he's their first-round draft pick.  —  Tigers officials raved after June's …

Jose is Wright man  —  At the official announcement of Jose Reyes' contract extension yesterday, the All-Star shortstop made it clear he wants to play alongside third baseman David Wright during the length of the pact.  He also acknowledged that he has no control over whether that can happen.

Rookies are on the rise  —  Littleton, Wilson and Rupe give bullpen a shot of stability  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Glibly, Rangers manager Buck Showalter explained Friday why the team has suddenly put a lot of faith in a trio of rookie relievers in the middle of a pennant race.

Notes: No progress for Weeks  —  Brewers expect second baseman to need surgery on right wrist  —  ST. LOUIS — After another setback on Friday, the Brewers are prepared for the likelihood that a right wrist injury will shelve second baseman Rickie Weeks for the rest of the season.

Baker's wild thought: Wild-card contenders  —  Manager won't count his Cubs out until standings say so  —  Dusty Baker made a stunning revelation before Friday's loss to Pittsburgh:  —  The Cubs are still in the National League wild-card playoff race.  —  Though they began …

Comcast says it will carry Orioles-owned MASN network  —  Comcast Cable has agreed to carry the Orioles-owned Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, ending a 16-month standoff that kept Washington Nationals games unavailable to 1.6 million cable customers in Maryland, Washington and Virginia.

Mariners continue to support A's cause  —  Oakland improves to 10-1 against Seattle, while it is 48-50 against all other opponents; Zito gets his fourth win in five starts  —  SEATTLE - If the A's didn't get to play the Seattle Mariners, they likely wouldn't be looking down at the rest of the American League West.

Frustrated Giants reach boiling point  —  Game turns ugly after Bonds gets ejected for arguing a called strike, unruly fans cause a delay by throwing debris on field  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants' frustrating season reached a boiling point Friday night after Barry Bonds was ejected during …

Girardi: Race will stay tight  —  Manager Joe Girardi said he doesn't foresee the National League's logjam of wild-card contenders, which includes the Marlins, to break apart anytime soon.  Ten teams went into Friday within five games of one another in the wild-card standings.

Big Mac gives little help  —  McGwire refuses to talk to MLB investigators  —  After telling Congress last year that he wanted to help rid the world of steroids, Mark McGwire is refusing to cooperate with baseball's Mitchell investigation.  —  According to a source familiar with the investigation …

Idea that Announcer Can Jinx Perfect Game = Holocaust  —  That is the position of Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay, who, on his radio show today, went totally bananaballs crazy.  —  Apparently, Kay began his show by saying, "On this day, August 4th, 2006, I declare the Red Sox officially dead."

Spare the A-Rod from yer boos  —  Hispanic group sez back him even if he messes up  —  A-Rod.  You love him, you hate him - just don't boo him.  —  Hispanics Across America has become the newest fan club for Alex Rodriguez, launching a campaign yesterday to persuade fans of all stripes not to jeer the Yankee All-Star third baseman.