For six innings, clearly a cut above  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Now what?  —  For six innings last night, Josh Beckett was every bit the pitcher the Red Sox hoped they were getting when they dealt for him last winter.  He outdueled Angels rookie gunslinger Jered Weaver, allowing no runs …

Cruz has Buck on his side  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Buck Showalter believes that Nelson Cruz can be a regular in the major leagues, and perhaps as early as next year.  Right now, however, Showalter plans to start the right-handed hitting Cruz only against left-handed pitchers.

Padres-Rockies Preview  —  Fresh off a sweep of the NL West leaders, the San Diego Padres will try to reclaim a share of first place on Friday when they begin a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  —  San Diego (65-62) is coming off a 5-5 homestand …

BANNISTER GETS BALL AS DUQUE GETS REST  —  Willie Randolph announced yesterday that Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, who was slated to pitch tonight against the Phillies, won't take the hill this weekend due to his recent heavy workload.  —  Brian Bannister will come off the disabled list tonight …

Baseball players covet opponents' memorabilia  —  MIAMI GARDENS — It's not quite the same as exchanging sweat-soaked jerseys with an opponent after a 90-minute soccer game.  In many cases the premise behind it is the same.  —  Respect.  —  Some baseball players are among the game's biggest fans …

DeCinces, Hoiles proud of O's honor  —  Third baseman, catcher enter team Hall of Fame this weekend  —  BALTIMORE — Doug DeCinces faced a truly thankless task during his time playing third base for the Orioles — replacing Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.  But DeCinces always handled …

Vazquez aims to feed off his recent failure  —  Sunday's setback vs. Twins a learning tool  —  DETROIT — Javier Vazquez will take the mound Friday night against the same Twins team that beat him Sunday.  —  Despite that loss, Vazquez and White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper …

Wagner: Winning the most important  —  Billy Wagner hasn't been asked a question about "Enter Sandman" in months, and with a streak of 10 consecutive saves, as well as 18 in his last 20 chances, there's not much buzz around his locker these days.  —  Which is just fine for a closer …

Lack of HRs bigger issue than OBP, Baker says  —  With the Cubs falling so far out of the playoff race early this season, it has given all the want-to-be general managers plenty of time to figure out how to fix the team for 2007.  —  Sign free agents Barry Zito and Carlos Lee.

Cards Notebook: Edmonds back in lineup  —  New York: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Thursday he expects to write center fielder Jim Edmonds into the lineup tonight for the first time in more than a week.  —  Edmonds, recovering from post-concussion syndrome, has not started since Aug. 15 …

Casey's goof just part of stinker of an effort  —  DETROIT — It was the worst play of the worst blowout this season.  It was an amazing fluke, an astonishing rarity, and it didn't mean anything, except that it put a goofy hat atop a stinkin' pile of baseball.

Tracing his roots as a fan  —  It's not about who's to blame  —  I appeared to strike a chord in the readership earlier this week by writing the following: ``The truth is we need to sit down and figure what sports are all about.  We've lost our way.  It was in reference to the Yankees' infamous five …

40-40 definitely in Soriano's sights … MIAMI — As he approaches an unprecedented mark brought on by his speed and power, Alfonso Soriano is trying to stay on an even keel in the last year of his contract.  —  With 5½ weeks remaining in the season Soriano, who has 41 home runs and 30 steals …

Stretch run sends lineup into spasms  —  Focus wandering in key games, says Hurdle  —  Milwaukee - Pressure.  It causes palms to sweat.  It makes breathing difficult.  It invites doubt, practically sends it a "Candygram."  —  Consider how poorly the Rockies have played under the spotlight of being in a playoff race this month.

Royals' OF Sanders out for season, will undergo knee surgery  —  KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - Reggie Sanders' long battle with injuries continues, as the veteran outfielder will miss the remainder of the season with a left knee ailment.  —  The Kansas City Royals announced Friday …

Mulder trade: Beane's genius at work  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - Trades, like fine wine, need time to age before they can be judged by the critics.  Some take years to reach fruition.  —  It's time to pop the cork on a controversial deal A's general manager Billy Beane made on Dec. 18, 2004 …