SoCal showdown  —  Plenty at stake in four-game Padres-Dodgers series  —  With an offseason that seemed to do more damage than triage, with an 8-15 record, a five-game losing streak and a 5- deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth inning on April 30, the San Diego Padres seemed …

Tigers claim Stairs off waivers  —  Outfielder/first baseman provides another left-handed bat  —  DETROIT — The Tigers announced on Friday that they've claimed first baseman/outfielder Matt Stairs off waivers from the Texas Rangers, adding another piece for the stretch run to what has been a struggling offense.

The Tears Shed by Martínez Are Anything but Joyful  —  Pedro Martínez pitched for the first time in more than a month.  Unfortunately for the Mets, he was inconsistent and ineffective, allowing four runs on six hits.  —  The Mets were anticipating an emotional night …

Uneven session in bullpen leaves Izzy's return in doubt  —  Cardinals righthander Jason Isringhausen's ailing hip continued to cause him difficulty during a bullpen test Friday, and the club's closer said he left the session still unsure if he would pitch again this season.

Many individual awards yet to be determined  —  The envelopes, please ...  No, not yet.  Too early.  The season ends two weeks from Sunday.  Then, and only then, will it be proper to select the individual award winners.  —  As the debates rage, several top candidates will be on display Saturday …

Rain washes out Kaat's final telecast  —  YES announcer was scheduled to call Friday's series opener  —  NEW YORK — Friday's rain merely postponed the Yankees and Red Sox game, but it likely cancelled YES broadcaster Jim Kaat's farewell broadcast.  —  Kaat was supposed to throw …

Mets Lobbying to Get Cy Young Votes for Wagner  —  The Mets have gone into promotion mode, lobbying for Billy Wagner for Cy Young.  This E-mail went to at least one voter today.

A's break off negotiations for Coliseum lease extension  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics broke off negotiations Friday with a local government organization on a three-year extension of their lease at the Coliseum.  —  The A's lease currently runs through 2007 …

Mulder faces long road back  —  Cards lefty doesn't expect to start 2007 season on time  —  ST. LOUIS — Mark Mulder returned to the Cardinals' clubhouse on Friday, three days after undergoing surgery on his left rotator cuff.  Mulder, donning a sling on his repaired shoulder …

We'll Take It Over Bayless On TV, Anyday  —  Well, Bill Simmons made his appearance on "The Colbert Report," and, as you'd probably expect, those who can stay up that late are talking about it today.  Some are pointing out that he finally confirmed that Red Sox fans are happier when they're miserable …

Guerrero blasts Angels past Rangers  —  11th-inning shot overshadows Rodriguez's rare slip  —  ARLINGTON — Vladimir Guerrero led off the top of the 11th with a home run and the Angels held on for a 2-1 victory over the Rangers in front of 30,788 on Friday night.

1 For 1  —  Chuck James is so The Man.  —  With the help of 1 or 2 vital Braves (it's the least they can do) taking advantage of a roster of decomposing Phillies — Randall Simon, Jeff Conine, Jose Hernandez, Jamie Moyer...is that Johnny Callison lingering by the bat rack? — the magic number is 1.

KAAT'S CAREER ONE OF THE BEST  —  JIM Kaat's 23-year broadcasting career ends tonight with Red Sox-Yanks on Ch. 9.  With his departure, New York loses much more than a calm, clear and wise voice.  —  We lose a noise and nonsense filter, a fellow who never tried to dazzle us, talk down to us …