Mental toughness?  Hicks should re-think that  —  Straight up: Tom Hicks is not a bad owner.  The Rangers have done worse, anyway.  No matter what else you may think, teeth grinding, Hicks fulfills fundamental necessities: He's got money, and he's willing to spend it.  —  He usually doesn't get in the way much, either.

Tigers unconditionally release Young  —  Club lists veteran's on-field performance as basis for decision  —  DETROIT — A three-hour, nine-minute rain delay left seemingly no end to the Tigers' afternoon on Wednesday.  By the time it was over, however, so was Dmitri Young's five-year tenure with the club.

Yanks send best wishes to Lester  —  KANSAS CITY - It sometimes seems as if the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox knows no bounds, but there is always a time for perspective.  The Bombers sent a bouquet of flowers to ailing Sox pitcher Jon Lester last week, sending along their best …

Nats Win Topsy-Turvy Game Against Cards  —  WASHINGTON — Jose Vidro picked a good time to start getting clutch hits for the Nationals.  —  Vidro ended a game of comebacks, lining a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday to give Washington a 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Future's Cliff hanger  —  Floyd: Achilles just won't heal  —  Cliff Floyd would have been out of the Mets' lineup for the second consecutive game last night had heavy rains not made their scheduled game a doubleheader against the Braves today.  —  Floyd, who was activated last week …

Zambrano OK, but on close watch  —  MRI reveals no major back damage, but next start undetermined  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano may pitch again this season, depending on how his back feels.  —  The Cubs right-hander underwent an MRI on Tuesday after complaining of stiffness in his back the day before.

Notes: Mulder to undergo surgery  —  Second opinion confirms shoulder and rotator cuff problems  —  WASHINGTON — The second opinion on Mark Mulder's shoulder confirmed the first.  The Cardinals announced on Wednesday that Mulder will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair fraying in his left rotator cuff.

For Bucs, numbers don't lie  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  CHICAGO - Jason Bay had never heard of the statistical category called "runs created," so he had no way of knowing that his total of 90 paced the Pirates.  —  "That's great ... if it's even a stat people put stock into," …

Delgado a Clemente Award candidate  —  First baseman honors idol with both number and deeds  —  NEW YORK — Behind the expression that could scare a dark alley as well as any pitcher is one of the game's genuinely caring and philanthropic people.  The curve of Carlos Delgado's brow often softens into part of a smile.

Sanchez unhittable  —  Marlins rookie ends majors' longest no-hitter drought  —  MIAMI (AP) — In this year of sensational rookies, Anibal Sanchez came up with the greatest performance yet — a no-hitter in his 13th career start.  —  Sanchez ended the longest no-hit gap …

Building a contender on the cheap like the Marlins will be tough to duplicate  —  What the Mini Marlins have done this summer has been historical, uplifting, unprecedented and inexplicable.  —  But will it be trend setting?  —  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery …

Jennings aims to salvage finale in SD  —  Colorado (63-75) at San Diego (72-66), 8:05 p.m. MT  —  Jason Jennings will take the mound Wednesday at his home away from home, PETCO Park, in the series finale with San Diego.  —  The right-hander has never lost at PETCO in six career starts, going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA.