Mets smart to keep excitement  —  In the old days, there was a saying that went, "Home run hitters drive Cadillacs."  The current addendum to that goes something like this: Triples hitters buy big houses.  —  Jose Reyes, master of the triple and sparkplug of the Mets …

In weak, weak West, a wheezer can win  —  ARLINGTON - The easy thing to do is to bury the Rangers.  —  The hard thing is going to be to do it in the graveyard known as the American League West.  —  Teetering at the foot of the division crypt on Tuesday, having lost four straight …

Angels rookie pitchers will be tested at Yankee Stadium.  —  CLEVELAND - Yankee Stadium has a way of closing in on young pitchers.  —  The 83-year-old Bronx stadium holds more than 57,000 people, but it can feel like they're all standing 5 feet away when the Yankees rally.

Spilborghs could return in center  —  Los Angeles - The Rockies have searched everywhere but Google for a center fielder.  —  The journey from the trade market to the waiver wire has led back to Triple-A Colorado Springs.  There are strong indications that Ryan Spilborghs will be promoted …

Broom and gloom for Red Sox  —  Schilling cannot prevent a stunning sweep by the lowly Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In these downtrodden times, veterans and youngsters should stand in front of the mirror and ask, ``Am I doing enough to help this team win?

Bad outing, more doubts  —  Prior's health an issue following 3-inning stint  —  MILWAUKEE — Questions about Mark Prior's health surfaced again Thursday after another shaky outing in an 8-6 loss to Milwaukee, but the answers were as elusive as Prior himself.

Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel  —  MILWAUKEE — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.

Lo Duca yet to catch up to '86 Mets  —  Did you read about Paul Lo Duca's divorce?  —  Did you also read he actually hit on a younger woman?  —  Mercy me.  What is this world coming to?  —  This is an unusual story, right?  Certainly worthy of page one placement, right?

Marlins Feast On Nats' Relievers  —  Loss Is Fourth In Past 5 Games: Marlins 9, Nationals 6  —  This is supposed to be happening in New Orleans or Harrisburg or some other minor league hamlet where pitchers can implode and it is labeled part of the learning process, not a disaster.

Heart shows way on Valentin's day  —  This year's Mets, unlike their fumbling ancestors, have become the unAmazin's.  They won their fifth straight yesterday, almost routinely, own best record in the league and have spent exactly one day out of first place.

Ringolsby: Girardi may be losing control in Florida  —  LOS ANGELES - Baseball had its first managerial change of the season this week.  —  But it doesn't count because nothing really changed.  —  Florida owner Jeffrey Loria fired manager Joe Girardi on Sunday afternoon …

Williams expects the expectations  —  High standards come with the territory for World Series champs  —  A 2005 World Series title translated into sellout crowds and higher merchandising sales for the White Sox.  —  And greater expectations from the fans, which general manager Ken Williams welcomes …

Pirates Notebook: Interleague will be Central affair again, plus Seattle  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  HOUSTON — In many of Major League Baseball's 30 markets, interleague play brings plenty of excitement for the public and the participants.

Barry and the Law  —  A Guide to Bonds' Legal Situation … Q: Will Bonds be indicted?  —  A: It's almost certain that he will.  The federal government doesn't move against someone until the outcome is more or less guaranteed.  Before convening a grand jury, the prosecutors prepare …

Best-built benches  —  Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed and making a deal almost requires an Act of Congress, don't expect much roster makeover in the coming weeks.  The waiver process being what it is, it's unlikely many players of note will pass through and be subsequently traded elsewhere.

Marlins fill system with independents  —  JUPITER — When the Florida Marlins organization needed players to fill gaps within its minor-league system, it turned to the independent professional baseball leagues.  —  Since the start of the minor-league season, only Oakland has acquired …

No timetable set for Liriano's return  —  The rookie has a ligament strain and shoulder weakness, and the Twins won't let him pitch again until he is pain-free.  —  Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano will be out indefinitely because of a mild chronic strain of the ulnar collateral ligament …

Eager Kazmir ready for normal workload  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - It has been 19 days since Scott Kazmir last pitched in a game, but it might as well be an eternity.  —  Kazmir returns to the mound for the Devil Rays tonight, having been sidelined by inflammation in his left shoulder, and he can't get there soon enough.