Marlins prevail in 10th  —  MIAMI GARDENS — In a game in which the Marlins finally intentionally walked Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, and paid for it when Jeff Conine's single sent the game into extra innings, it took two wild pitches and two intentional walks for Florida to avoid a crushing loss.

Liriano passes final rehab test  —  A thunderstorm in eastern Pennsylvania delayed Francisco Liriano's rehabilitation start by more than 1½ hours Saturday night, but the Twins' rookie all-star eventually got in three powerful innings for Class AAA Rochester to set the stage for his return to the Twins' rotation on Wednesday.

Kaat's meow  —  Signing off after 25 memorable years behind mike  —  When the cameras are shut down and there is nothing left but silence Friday night, Jim Kaat will walk out of the Yankees' TV booth in the Bronx for the final time.  —  Kaat, who has spent 13 seasons as a Yankees analyst (WPIX, MSG, YES), will retire.

Halladay hit in back, leaves game early  —  Jays ace coming off season with broken bone in shin  —  ANAHEIM — Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay exited Sunday's game against the Angels in the first inning after a line drive hit him in the back of his right shoulder.

Padres-Giants Preview  —  The NL wild-card leading San Diego Padres will probably be glad to finish up their season series with the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.  —  The Giants look to further cut into the Padres lead and win seven straight games over San Diego for the first time in 19 years …

Foes Realize That Wang, With 17 Wins, Is That Good  —  Chien-Ming Wang threw two warm-up pitches after being hit by a liner in the fourth.  He stayed in the game, pitching seven and a third innings.  —  Kevin Millar, the famously gabby first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles …

Going to a ballgame?  Expect tight security  —  Dale Lewis moved through the pregame swarm outside the entrance to the first-base field boxes at Yankee Stadium, the offending $30 backpack slung over his shoulder.  —  "We brought the bag to bring parkas and stuff to the game in case it rained …

K-Rod is youngest to 100 career saves  —  Angels closer hasn't allowed a run in past 28 1/3 innings  —  ANAHEIM — In the end, it all leads to K-Rod.  —  The Angels closer has been sensational of late and Sunday was no different.  —  Three batters, two strikeouts equals one Angels victory …

Can Astros afford to improve in 2007?  —  The good news for the Astros is that right-hander Roger Clemens and left-hander Andy Pettitte both are pitching well enough to entertain the notion of returning next season.  —  The bad news is that it will be virtually impossible for the Astros …

Insider: What could the Cardinals buy with $26 million?  —  Last summer, the Cardinals played a 100-win season under the "Red Means Go" marketing slogan.  It fell to pitcher Jeff Suppan last week to summarize this year's campaign — "a different team playing a different season."

The Big O  —  Minaya deserves top exec honors  —  From a private box in the farthest reaches of right field on the Shea Stadium mezzanine the other day, Atlanta Braves GM John Schuerholz watched stone-faced as the newest pieces to Omar Minaya's Mets masterwork, Shawn Green and Oliver Perez …

White Sox add three players to active roster  —  CHICAGO — Prior to today's game vs. Cleveland, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of third baseman Josh Fields from Class AAA Charlotte, returned outfielder Jerry Owens from his rehabilitation assignment to Charlotte and reinstated …

Credit Phillies for not dealing home run giant  —  SALAD DAYS: Orioles rookie Chris Britton (Plantation High) opened some eyes this year out of the bullpen, but co-GM Jim Duquette said the team would like him to drop some weight.  "He's a big boy," Duquette said.

Catalanotto solves puzzle of Escobar  —  Jays outfielder doubles in winning run off longtime nemesis  —  ANAHEIM — Frank Catalanotto had some homework to do.  Prior to Saturday's game in Anaheim, the Toronto outfielder picked up his book on opposing pitchers and flipped to section "E."