Notes: Rowand has surgery on ankle  —  Center fielder has screws inserted; return this season unlikely  —  NEW YORK — The Phillies have already accepted that Aaron Rowand won't be back for the regular season.  —  They may also have to face the possibility that he won't be there for the postseason either …

Bleeding deeply - Spiraling Sox spin way toward Quits-ville  —  SEATTLE - No one can truly know what ever burns in another man's soul.  But from the outside, at least, the 2006 Red Sox certainly look like they are starting to quit.  There is just no way to prove it.  —  "He said he couldn't play.

Without Paul, it's wild pitch  —  Unsung Met is staff's hero  —  John Maine learned quickly.  It's generally foolish to ignore Paul Lo Duca.  —  "My first game," Maine said, "he wanted a curveball and I wanted a fastball.  It turned into a base hit."  —  That was back in May, at home against Washington.

Notes: Bowden has faith in Church  —  GM pleased with outfielder's commitment to getting better  —  ATLANTA — General manager Jim Bowden said this is not Ryan Church's last chance to prove to the Nationals that he is an everyday player.  Bowden is one of Church's biggest supporters …

Dogged by problems, they're lacking bite  —  SEATTLE — These are the dog days and your beloved Red Sox are playing like the Boston Bowsers.  —  The last time the Sox lost 17 games in a month, they fired Jimy Williams in mid-month and replaced him with Nutty Professor Joe Kerrigan.

Setback for Pavano Isn't Cause for Worry  —  There is a widespread perception in the Yankees' clubhouse that Carl Pavano simply does not want to pitch.  With each physical setback, that feeling grows.  —  Pavano may start this week for the Yankees.  But no one around the team will believe it until it happens.

Rangers' Wilkerson looking to 2007  —  ARLINGTON - Outfielder Brad Wilkerson can't wait for 2007.  —  His right shoulder, which gave him fits throughout the 2006 season, is fixed.  He had surgery last week and said he should be 100 percent by the time spring training arrives.

Notes: Rare leadoff sighting for Wilson  —  Molina plays catch, only available in emergency; Reyes shines  —  ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals used their fourth different leadoff hitter since David Eckstein's injury when Preston Wilson hit in the No. 1 spot on Sunday night against the Cubs.

Former draft pick dies in Comair crash  —  A former pick in the First-Year Player Draft was among 49 passengers who perished Sunday in the Comair Flight 5191 plane crash.  He and his new bride were bound for their honeymoon following a lavish wedding the night before in his home state of Kentucky.

Team USA rides Suzuki to win  —  Walk-off homer in 10th sends Brazil to 8-7 defeat  —  Kurt Suzuki just might be rethinking his greatest baseball moment.  —  Suzuki, a 2004 second-round draft pick of the Oakland Athletics, blasted a walk-off home run in the 10th inning Sunday …

Lee's stint on DL finally at an end  —  He'll return Monday; wrist feeling stronger  —  ST. LOUIS — Derrek Lee will return from the disabled list Monday in Pittsburgh, hoping to salvage something from a season in which nothing has gone right for him.  —  Lee said his right wrist felt …

Players show their support for Girardi  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Owner Jeffrey Loria won't say it, but Marlins players will: They like the job manager Joe Girardi is doing, and they want him to return next year.  —  But players are trying their best to not take sides in the feud between Loria …

Saunders hit hard by Yankees in finale  —  Halos suffer homer barrage from Williams and Jeter  —  ANAHEIM — It takes a certain type of pitcher to be able to fool the Yankees twice.  —  And after all the home runs the Yankees hit on Sunday, Joe Saunders isn't there yet.

Tigers to call up No. 1 pick  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Colby Lewis to Triple-A Toledo and outfielder Brent Clevlen to Double-A Erie on Sunday after their 7-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.  —  General manager Dave Dombrowski said lefty Andrew Miller …

De La Rosa will stay in rotation  —  Struggling lefty Jorge De La Rosa will get some extra rest before his next start — to accommodate Mark Redman and Luke Hudson, actually — but will remain in the Royals' rotation.  —  "He's got good stuff, electric stuff," manager Buddy Bell said.

Call-ups could rotate Rangers' Volquez out  —  Addition of other pitchers in September may sideline rookie  —  ARLINGTON - The Rangers will push rookie right-hander Edinson Volquez as far back in the starting rotation as possible.  —  That is, if they keep him in the rotation at all.