3 more fans for A-Rod  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Yankees' win yesterday allowed Alex Rodriguez to smile, as he was appreciative that his baffling struggles didn't hurt the team.  —  Rodriguez said he felt better at the plate, but it didn't show in the results.

Bad knee puts Manny back on bench: Injuries to Ramirez, Pena force Youkilis into left  —  SEATTLE - Manny Ramirez' return to the lineup lasted exactly one game.  —  The Red Sox left fielder, who was -for-3 in Saturday night's 4-3 loss to the Mariners, told manager Terry Francona yesterday …

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cubs activate Lee, option Coats  —  The Chicago Cubs today activated first baseman Derrek Lee from the 15-day disabled list.  In a corresponding roster move, Chicago has optioned infielder Buck Coats to Triple-A Iowa.  —  The 30 year old had landed on the disabled list for the second …

World Series top ticket price jumps from $185 to $250  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Be prepared to pay if your team makes it to the World Series.  —  The price of regular box seats will be $250, according to notices some teams have started sending to their season ticket holders.

Georgia wins LLWS championship  —  SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Cody Walker's third-inning homer and the dominating pitching of ace Kyle Carter gave the United States just its fourth Little League World Championship since 1993 as Columbus, Ga., topped Kawaguchi City, Japan, 2-1, on Monday at Lamade Stadium.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Maddux to Serve as Designated Mitt  —  PHOENIX — Greg Maddux pitched well and provided veteran leadership in his first month with the Dodgers.  But his job description will be expanded Tuesday when he helps out Derek Lowe during a bullpen session.  —  Picture an NFL quarterback warming …