A League of Her Own  —  Remember when Fenway Park felt crusty, creaky, and unsafe?  The woman behind its extreme makeover isn't done yet.  —  Janet Marie Smith, the architect transforming Fenway Park, works in an office that, at first glance, could be confused with a large storage closet.

Tucker's HR lifts Mets  —  On a New York Mets team filled with All-Stars and MVP candidates, it was spare part Michael Tucker who led them to victory.  —  Tucker hit a solo home run on the only pitch he saw to break an eighth-inning tie and first baseman Carlos Delgado made a nifty catch for the final out …

This walkoff was a slam dunk  —  Now a new twist to an old story line: the walkoff error.  —  And another sleepless night for Dominic DiMaggio.  —  Sometime next winter, when you crack open the Whitman's Sampler of Red Sox 2006 Walkoff Wins, you'll no doubt remember a stunning Saturday …

It's time to face the truth  —  On the telephone the other day Paul Lo Duca asked this question:  —  "When does this go away?"  —  He was referring to stories in the newspaper, some on the front page, about his impending divorce, not even knowing that there would be another story coming …

Cubs recall Guzman, place Prior on DL  —  The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman from Triple-A Iowa.  In a corresponding roster move, Chicago has placed right-handed pitcher Mark Prior on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 11, with right shoulder tendinitis.

Padres-Astros Preview  —  Houston Astros starter Brandon Backe has lost some velocity on his fastball, but he's finding other ways to get batters out.  —  The right-hander looks to build off a pair of impressive outings when the Astros (57-59) wrap up their three-game series with the San Diego Padres …

Yanks' Cano stays hot since return  —  Second baseman clubs three-run homer for winning margin  —  NEW YORK — Yankees players and manager Joe Torre went out of their way to make sure they didn't insult Miguel Cairo.  He did an adequate job filling in for Robinson Cano for about six weeks, they said.

Michalak saves the day for Cincinnati  —  Newcomer tosses 6 2/3 solid innings as Reds hang on  —  PHILADELPHIA — When Chris Michalak woke up on Saturday, he was a 35-year-old Minor Leaguer in a hotel room in Charlotte, N.C. He'd bounced around 10 organizations and was without a whiff of the Majors in four years.

Dealer's choices tend to pay  —  At 72, Lajoie is still a source of sage advice  —  Bill Lajoie is a veteran deal-maker who even at the ripe old age of 72 has managed to put his touch on two contenders in the same season.  Which is why the architect of very good Tiger teams in the '80s …

If 29 GMs pass on someone, it should be a sign  —  Giving Wilson chance to latch on with another team was the right call  —  Second-guessing is so easy, but it would be silly to blame the Astros for the Preston Wilson signing or the club's decision to designate the veteran outfielder for assignment Saturday.

Upton impresses while he learns  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - With his butt planted firmly on the ground near third base, B.J. Upton showed some of his dazzling athletic ability Friday by throwing out Oakland's Nick Swisher at first.  —  As amazing of a play as it was - and the Rays were still raving …

Leyland thriving after snub  —  The burnout didn't light Jim Leyland's fire.  The Phillies did.  —  The Detroit Tigers wake up every day with the best record in the major leagues steered by a manager who left Colorado with puffs of smoke and a season in ashes.  —  There is an easy explanation for this incongruity: motivation.

Notes: '96 champs, Oates honored  —  Rangers celebrate division champions, beloved manager  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers honored their 1996 division championship team before Saturday's game with the Seattle Mariners and the players paid honor to the man who led them to that title.

Rivera plummets in latest ranking the closers  —  People will look at this week's closer rankings, see Mariano Rivera at No. 14 and think we're nuts.  —  Do we think Rivera is just the 14th-best closer in baseball.  Of course not.  —  But for the purpose of these rankings …