Johnson's Poor Fielding Has Taken Shine Off His Year  —  By nearly all measures, Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson is having a career year — leading the National League in on-base percentage, flirting with hitting .300, already with career highs in homers, hits, doubles and games played.

Buck's stop might end soon if some players' concerns aren't met  —  SEATTLE — About three weeks remain in this Rangers season, the seventh in a row that will end without postseason play.  —  Manager Buck Showalter shares the same disappointment as everyone affiliated with the Rangers …

Team mired in difficulty, but Pierre on a roll  —  ATLANTA — In a mostly negative season, center fielder Juan Pierre remains the Cubs' most consistent positive.  —  ''Pierre's been playing great baseball, big time,'' manager Dusty Baker said.  ''He's done everything we've asked of him.

Florida finally slows Howard  —  MIAMI GARDENS — It took three games, 12 at-bats and about 40 hours, but the Marlins finally got Ryan Howard out.  —  Howard singled in his first two at-bats in the Marlins' 3-0 win Sunday, extending his streak to 11 consecutive plate appearances reaching base …

Ortiz raps HR, MVP voting  —  So, on an afternoon that David Ortiz hit his career-best 48th home run to draw within two of the club record held by Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx, what did he think of his chances of winning the American League's Most Valuable Player award?

Notes: Chacin grateful for Escobar  —  Angels pitcher took Jays pitcher under wing in Toronto  —  ANAHEIM — Gustavo Chacin always enjoys seeing Kelvim Escobar.  The Blue Jays pitcher is quick to smile when he looks back on how Escobar, who is now with the Angels, helped him adjust …

Giving It Up for Mr. Met  —  LOOKING for Mr. Right?  How about Mr. Wright?  —  A lot of women — and men — are finding him, along with his teammates, irresistible.  —  David Wright, 23, the power-hitting third baseman of the Mets, is one reason an expanding group of local baseball fans are counting down to the postseason.

Mo may skip week  —  BALTIMORE - Anyone hoping to see Mariano Rivera back on the mound for the Yankees this week probably will be disappointed.  —  Rivera, who is suffering from a muscle strain in his right forearm, doesn't appear likely to pitch during the Yankees' upcoming home stand since …

Thomas cashes in on power ball  —  Notebook  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With Frank Thomas homering in his fifth consecutive game, the A's might expect this to become a daily ritual.  —  "He's just been unbelievable," Barry Zito, Sunday's starting pitcher, said of Thomas.

Valentine: It changed the priorities in my life  —  Bobby Valentine was the Mets' manager from 1996 to 2002.  He now manages the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, and shared his thoughts on 9/11 in a telephone interview Saturday.  —  My emotion at the beginning was fear, fear for my team.

Fan violence mars Ohio State's big win over Texas  —  COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio State University student accused of driving his car into three people, injuring them slightly, was among several people arrested during a raucous celebration of the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes' win over No. 2 Texas.

Versus the Best  —  How do you get a feel for the possible success of teams in the post season?  One way might be to look how successful teams are against good pitchers.  Now, if a ballclub is facing one of the league leaders in ERA, you might not expect them to do very well.

Cards Notebook: Extra rest for Reyes  —  Anthony Reyes approached the Cardinals after his start Friday and described his right arm as tired, so the club is shuffling the rotation to get the rookie some extra, precautionary rest.  —  Jason Marquis will start on three days' rest Wednesday …

Notes: Wagner keeps club laughing  —  Closer outfits team with new T-shirts as Mets enjoy season  —  NEW YORK — Few people were more touched by the departure of Mike Piazza and by Piazza's return to Shea Stadium last month than Charlie Samuels, the Mets' long-time clubhouse/equipment manager.