Robinson questions one pitch in loss  —  Manager criticizes Rauch, Schneider for Mets' go-ahead homer  —  WASHINGTON — The tension was heavy in the home clubhouse after the Nationals lost to the Mets, 3-1, in front of 37,732 at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Orioles hope to bounce back in finale  —  Baltimore (51-66) at Boston (67-48), 2:05 p.m. ET  —  The Orioles will end the second third of their nine-game road trip against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, before taking a day off Monday and a journey to New York on Tuesday.

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 …

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 …

Braves announce front-office moves  —  Snyder takes over as director of baseball operations  —  ATLANTA — One year after inducting him into their Hall of Fame, the Braves have decided to bring back Paul Snyder to serve as their director of baseball operations.

EVERYBODY PANIC!!!  - Message board edition  —  Over at Mack Avenue Tigers, Kurt had a very levelheaded post about the Tigers current slump.  The slump that all teams have, but the Motor City Kitties managed to avoid...till this week. … Unfortunately, that isn't what most fans are currently thinking.

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.

Angels can't get big hit when needed  —  Halos take early lead but can't hold it against Yankees  —  NEW YORK — In the afternoon sun at Yankee Stadium, the powerful Angels lineup that had been evident under the lights was quietly absent.  —  Just a night earlier, the Angels …

Hafner ties Mattingly for slams in season  —  Indians slugger hits sixth as part of an 11-run first inning  —  CLEVELAND — Travis Hafner took a curtain call Sunday.  —  Actually, Hafner had little choice, because the 25,251 fans in Jacobs Field insisted that the man called "Pronk" …

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.

From Taiwan to the Bronx, One Pitch at a Time  —  He pitches with a sense of purpose and responsibility.  For the Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang, celebrity and earning potential grow with every ground ball.  The better he pitches, the better he can take care of his family in Taiwan.

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 …

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.