Criticism Doesn't Worry A-Rod  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez hit another undramatic, ninth-inning home run, a two-out solo job that pulled the Yankees within three runs of the Los Angeles Angels.  —  Told some would probably say it was a meaningless home run, Rodriguez had some fun.

D-Backs' Green Snakes into discussion  —  WASHINGTON - The Mets have spent plenty of green putting this year's NL-East leading team together.  It's possible they could add a little more green to the roster.  —  The East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune reported that the Diamondbacks planned …

Garcia gets off schneid as ChiSox sweep first-place Tigers  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  CHICAGO — The "Sweep!  Sweep!" chant roared through the sold-out stadium, reaching its crescendo as Bobby Jenks caught Curtis Granderson looking at a nasty breaking ball to end the game.

Rauch Defies Definition, but Not the Mets  —  In spring training, right-hander Jon Rauch just wanted a major league job.  That he has developed into the key setup man for the Washington Nationals is a result of how he has pitched, a preseason injury to right-hander Luis Ayala and last month's trade …

Cubs marriage: Can it be saved?  —  DENVER — Veteran Dustyologists may one day look back on the final months of Dusty Baker's tenure as manager of the Cubs and discover hidden clues that ultimately led to his departure.  —  But for now it doesn't take a lot of digging to theorize that Baker …

Martinez 15 strikeouts away from 3,000 … In Major League Baseball annals, 13 pitchers have reached 3,000 strikeouts, more than 100 have won 200 games or more, and countless others have finished their careers with an ERA below 3.00.  —  But among the thousands of pitchers that have toed …

Family dysfunction  —  Personal troubles cause Doc and Darryl to lead list of reunion no-shows  —  This tale, of course, carries more than enough darkness already.  But this past week, while looking through Dwight Gooden's 1999 autobiography "Heat," I stumbled upon another layer of tragic irony.

Dave Duncan: Change is on the way  —  PITTSBURGH — Jason Marquis presumably kept his oar in the water Sunday to remain in the Cardinals' rotation, even when lefthander Mark Mulder returns from his shoulder problems, by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to three hits — two of them second-inning home runs …

Cabrera continues hot streak  —  Miguel Cabrera had two hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs to lift Florida.  'To do what he's doing, he's in a different league now.' Wes Helms said.  `He's a special kid.'  —  kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com  —  PHOENIX - Wes Helms has played …

Under The Knife  —  Liriano Watch  —  I spent the last few days being the dumbest guy in the room.  Once a year, BP gets the team together to discuss business, a meeting that occurred over the weekend in Chicago.  In between those discussions, the topic always came back to our shared passion …

Third baseman a new man since return from Omaha  —  Being sent to minors was a major setback in his career, but Teahen has come back swinging and is enjoying success with the Royals.  —  Mark Teahen broke out of another slump last week, and, be honest, did you even know he was in a slump?

Swept, Seattle falls 9 games out of first  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The Seattle Mariners were swept Sunday.  —  Swept out of Ameriquest Field, swept under the rug and swept out of whatever playoff hopes they might have once harbored.  —  History might indicate that the Mariners …

Cantu still feels effects of collision  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - First there was the fractured left foot that forced Jorge Cantu to miss six weeks.  For the past two weeks, he has been bothered by a stiff and sore neck.  The result has been a constantly painful and increasingly frustrating season …

Former Phillies' star gets metaphysical  —  Former All-Star catcher Darren Daulton has been spending his time spreading his message — and it has nothing to do with baseball.  —  A popular Phillies player during his baseball career, and the leader of the 1993 World Series team …