No-hitter caps Sanchez's unlikely season  —  MIAMI GARDENS — When Anibal Sanchez woke up Thursday morning, he closed his eyes again and gave thanks with a prayer.  —  "I saw my wife next to me," he said.  "She was asleep.  I just said, 'Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity …

With No Team Close Behind, the Mets Start to Look Ahead  —  The lineup Willie Randolph unveiled for last night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers offered the slightest hint that he was looking ahead.  From top to bottom, the eight position players formed the deepest and most complete batting order …

Notes: Silva apologizes to teammates  —  Liriano's Minor League start up in the air; Garza earns honor  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Twins pitcher Carlos Silva felt like he was doing the best thing for his club when he pulled himself after the sixth inning of Wednesday's game due to a stomach ache.

No-Hit Drought a Matter of Luck  —  Many have theories about the recent lack of no-hitters, but everyone seems to agree that there has to be a lot of luck involved  —  The day after Anibal Sanchez pitched baseball's first no-hitter in going on 2 1/2 years, ending the game's longest no-no drought …

Q&A with Marty Brennaman  —  Broadcaster expounds on life after baseball and the '06 Reds  —  CINCINNATI — Any broadcaster in Cincinnati, and most in baseball, would love to have Marty Brennaman's career.  —  Since he joined Reds radio broadcasts in 1974, few have had more fun, or been more opinionated on the air, than Brennaman.

Durham back to old form  —  Giant is tops among major league second basemen with 84 RBI  —  Ray Durham's transformation as a hitter extends from head to toe.  —  Start with Durham's mind, which has absorbed steady doses of advice from one Barry Bonds.  —  Proceed to Durham's eyes …

Prospectus Today  —  Dateline: Minneapolis  —  The Twins get one last chance to put two playoff spots in play this weekend, kicking off a four-game series with the Tigers tonight at the Metrodome.  They lead the White Sox by a half-game (one in the loss column) for the wild card …

Conine helps Phils beat Marlins  —  MIAMI - For a moment there, it felt a little like 2003.  —  Back then, the Phillies couldn't hold a lead in Miami.  Remember Mike Williams?  —  Back then, the Florida Marlins owned the Phillies, punished them and eliminated them from the National League wild-card race.

Lester ready to fight cancer  —  Rookie to begin chemotherapy treatment at Dana Farber  —  BOSTON — With his composure and fighting spirit both intact, Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester addressed the media for the first time since being diagnosed with a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma …

Comerica officially survives blogger invasion  —  I wish I had some sort of excellent memory for conversations, because I'm pretty sure if someone had just transcribed everything we all said to each other while at Nemo's and then the ballpark, I'd be free of blogging for the rest of the season.

Stands empty as Cubs return to cellar  —  The smallest crowd at Wrigley Field in four years watched the Cubs plummet to the depths of the Tampa Bay Devils Rays on an otherwise perfect afternoon on the North Side.  —  Pittsburgh center fielder Chris Duffy hit the first two home runs …

Thunder make room for Matsui  —  Rehabbing Yankees slugger forces changes in playoff lineup  —  TRENTON, N.J. — When Hideki Matsui was asked on Wednesday night when he'd be ready to return to New York, the veteran outfielder from Japan said wanted the Yankees to make that decision for him.

The Running Man  —  "When I got hurt this year I feel that really affected me, took a lot away from me.  I wasn't able to steal bases.  Every time I hit the ball in the hole I wasn't able to run.  I just couldn't run.  It's kind of frustrating because you feel like you would have done a better job.

Francisco is back with Rangers  —  SEATTLE - The Rangers' long wait for Frank Francisco is over.  —  General manager Jon Daniels said Thursday that Francisco, who hasn't pitched in the majors since the end of the 2004 season, will join the Rangers today for the final three weeks of the season.

Job News ... Finally  —  A couple weeks ago, I discussed the contract negotiations I was going through regarding a new job.  I had to keep the actual details quiet, because things were still going on behind the scenes in order to get everything finalized.  I initially expected to get the go-ahead …

Q&A with manager Frank Robinson  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson sits down with the Nationals skipper … MLB.com: How surprised are you that the Nationals are having a disappointing season?  One would think the team got better with the addition of Alfonso Soriano.