Old-Timer Lifts the Young Guys, and the Weary Yanks Head Home  —  Derek Jeter homered off Angels starter Joe Saunders to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the first inning.  He added a solo homer in the eighth.  —  As many years as he has played, Bernie Williams can still devour a pitcher's mistake.

Notes: Rangers still not selling  —  GM intends to keep club intact despite recent slide  —  ARLINGTON — The Baltimore Orioles traded veteran outfielder Jeff Conine to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, a sign that at least some players are getting through waivers and can be traded.

Lee may be in lineup for Bucs opener  —  Chicago (54-76) at Pittsburgh (50-81), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  Derrek Lee could be back in the Cubs lineup on Monday when they open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  —  Lee has been on the disabled list to strengthen his right wrist, which he fractured in mid-April.

Pavano suffers possible rib fracture in car accident … Carl Pavano, the Yankees' oft-injured free agent pitcher, was hurt in a car accident on Aug. 15 but informed the club of the injury only in recent days, and he was examined in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday for a possible rib fracture.

Guillen praises Gload, vows to play him more  —  What happens to Ross Gload once Jim Thome returns?  He might get some time in left field if Scott Podsednik doesn't step up his offense, though Podsednik has been on base in six of his last eight plate appearances.

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.

Johnson Sits, But Expects Quick Return  —  Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson spent Sunday shaking off the aftereffects of Saturday's collision with Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur, and he didn't play in the Nationals' 13-6 loss to the Braves.  —  "I feel better," Johnson said.

Future Shock  —  The best offensive prospect in baseball?  One could certainly make the argument.  In his last 50 games, the number two overall pick from last year's draft has slugged 19 home runs and driven in 59.  With home runs in three of his last four contests, he's batting .415 in his last 15 games with eight home runs.

BLOWN-OUT  —  One man's trash can be another man's treasure.  More oftern than not, though, it's also another man's trash.  Ortiz, Astacio, and Traber all went through various levels of being whacked around.  Ortiz did his "pitch like a 5th starter" routine on Friday and the offense had a well-timed mini-explosion to get the win.

Maroth situation speeds Miller's arrival  —  Ledezma to start Wednesday; top pick added to bullpen  —  CLEVELAND — Andrew Miller's Major League debut is coming even sooner than expected.  Mike Maroth's big-league return is going to have to wait.  —  The Tigers made a slew of decisions …

Carter ready for big jump  —  KERNAN'S CORNER  —  Sometime, maybe in the near future, someone will ask Gary Carter to manage in the big leagues.  —  Could that someone be Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry?  —  It will be a wise GM who gets Carter.

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.

Prospectus Today  —  The Stealth MVP  —  First, there was Albert Pujols.  Pujols hit .346/.509/.914 in April with 14 homers, inspiring mounds of copy about what a superstar would look like in the nominal post-steroids era, as well as speculation that he could make a run at the single-season home-run record.

Mailbag: Wilson a likely trade?  —  Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions  —  Do you think Jack Wilson is going to be traded after the season?  —  It is entirely possible that the Pirates could trade the popular Wilson, their longest-tenured player, in an effort to acquire …

On file: Steroids' risks, ravages  —  Medical records of ex-Panthers reveal ill effects, multiple refills leading to Super Bowl  —  The federal steroids case involving members of the Carolina Panthers Super Bowl team provides an unprecedented look at what some athletes risk to play professional sports …

Going Deep: The fall guys  —  There's more to October eligibility than meets the eye  —  When the Rangers signed 39-year-old infielder-outfielder Eric Young to a contract on Aug. 11 to play for Triple-A Oklahoma, the primary objective was not to give the RedHawks a veteran influence …

Smoltz waiting for word on future  —  Two years after he was generally mocked and lampooned for claiming his arm would be better off throwing 100 pitches every five days than a dozen every couple, John Smoltz is the only starting pitcher the Braves can depend on.  That his arm hasn't fallen off, therefore, is a given.

Numbers tell tale about feats of Cla  —  DENVER - Cla Meredith's run of 20 2/3 scoreless innings isn't the only impressive statistic involving the rookie sidearmer.  —  During the streak, opponents have batted .103 against Meredith (7-for-68).  And the right-handed reliever has thrown …