Brenly thinking about his next act  —  Bob Brenly knows what it's like to manage a champion; could he do it with the Cubs?  —  Bob Brenly gazed at the diamond and amethyst encrusted ring earned five years ago this November and considered what it has given him since: admiration and respect, perhaps.

Departing Lopez didn't quite catch on  —  The failed Javy Lopez experiment came to a quiet end yesterday, when the Red Sox released the veteran catcher five weeks after acquiring him from the Baltimore Orioles in the wake of Jason Varitek's knee injury.  —  The former All-Star …

Hafner's MVP-type season ends  —  Second X-ray reveals hairline fracture; surgery not ruled out  —  CHICAGO — Upon further review, Travis Hafner's hand injury is as bad as had been feared.  —  Hafner has a broken metacarpal bone below the ring finger on his right hand, an injury that will bring his impressive 2006 season to an end.

Notes: Crede facing offseason surgery  —  Third baseman misses another game after cortisone shot  —  CHICAGO — Joe Crede was out of the starting lineup with lower back pain for the third straight game on Saturday and said the injury may require offseason surgery.

Maddux, Dodgers upended by Mets  —  Veteran right-hander runs into trouble in the sixth  —  NEW YORK — Some baseball games for a manager, every move is golden, so the second-guessers wait for games like Saturday's 3-2 Dodgers loss to the Mets for something to really chew on.

He's relieved to be back in the majors  —  SEATTLE — Frank Francisco's nearly two-year hiatus from major league action ended Friday when the Rangers recalled him and he pitched against the Mariners.  —  Francisco, who will turn 27 Monday, was the Rangers Rookie of the Year in 2004, when he had a 3.33 ERA in 45 appearances.

Escobar pitches well but still takes loss  —  Halos manage just six hits, single run against Toronto  —  ANAHEIM — The way Angels starters are throwing, the club might never lose again.  —  That is, if only its hitters would cooperate.  —  Kelvim Escobar pitched well enough on Saturday …

Martinez could return to Mets' rotation next week  —  NEW YORK — Pedro Martinez felt good after a four-inning simulated game Saturday, and the New York Mets ace is on track to return to the rotation next week.  —  Martinez threw 75 pitches — 45 in game conditions — from the Shea Stadium mound …

Pirates and Lexus enter into six-year partnership with renamed "Lexus Club at PNC Park"  —  Partnership with Pittsburgh area Lexus dealers brings enhanced offering to seat holders in premium seating area formerly known as the Home Plate Club  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced …

Robinson, Nats fans deserve better  —  I know Stan Kasten and the Washington Nationals believe they have every right to treat information about the team fans pay a lot of money to watch as if it were a state secret.  (How are those talks going with Alfonso Soriano, anyway?)

Notes: The Gold Glove case for Carroll  —  Infielder has committed only three errors at second all season  —  DENVER — The Rockies relied on strong pitching and efficient hitting in Thursday's win over the Nationals, but their defensive play was as important as any element.

Reds drive past Pirates, 9-1  —  Snell's ire rises after he allows 3 more homers  —  CINCINNATI — Ian Snell would like to be left alone during his starts.  —  "I don't like people talking to me during games," the Pirates' right-hander said last night.  "I'm really upset about it."

Bucs release Boston; promote Jackson from practice squad  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Addressing a lack of depth on the offensive line for the season opener, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released receiver David Boston and promoted tackle Scott Jackson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Lobbying effort for Hoffman begins  —  SAN FRANCISCO - When Padres relief ace Trevor Hoffman lost out on the Cy Young Award in 1998, he was miffed that five sportswriters left him off their ballots, which ran three deep.  —  Seeking answers, and championing the cause of all closers …

Gonzalez paces D-Backs in rout  —  Veteran's 48th double sets single-season franchise record  —  PHOENIX — After a shaky first half and some off-the-field issues, this season may not be going the way Luis Gonzalez had envisioned.  —  But none of those things seem important now …

Giambi may get another shot, rest  —  BALTIMORE - Because Jason Giambi's aching left wrist hasn't improved, the Yankees will have it examined by a doctor today.  Giambi said the purpose of the exam is to review potential treatment options, which could include giving the slugger a second cortisone injection.

Little ball  —  Last night, I was doing a show on KTRH with Tom Franklin and Alan Ashby and we got yet another call about bunting.  It seems to me that many people who consider themselves to be knowledgeable fans, think their favorite teams should bunt more often.