On the One Hand, There May Be a Problem at Shea  —  WHEN is losing good for business?  When the Mets are on the verge of clinching their first division title since 1988 and their fans buy tickets hoping to be at the game when they do.  —  The Mets sold more than 10,000 extra tickets …

Mailbag: Can Soriano go 50-50?  —  Beat writer Bill Ladson answers National fans' questions … What do you think of Alfonso Soriano's chances of being the first player to hit 45 homers and swipe 45 bases or even become a 50-50 guy in baseball history?  — Avi R., Montreal

This time, Pedro isn't life of party  —  Pedro Martinez was prepared to party before the game even started yesterday, and showed reporters a pair of green-tinted wraparound glasses that he had ready for what he hoped would be a clinching celebration later that night.

Yanks Finally Find a Spark, and Close in on the Title  —  The Yankees played two games in New York on Sunday, the second one ending just before midnight.  The team spent an hour at the airport in Newark because of an intensive security check, and did not arrive at its hotel here until 4:30 Monday morning.

Nomar caps incredible win for LA  —  Four straight homers tie it in ninth; walk-off puts club in first  —  LOS ANGELES — It's a real shame the Dodgers have no more games scheduled with the Padres this year, because after finding all sorts of ways to lose to San Diego while dropping 13 …

Tigers need to recapture early season mojo  —  CHICAGO - Jim Leyland will need to turn into Gene Mauch for the Tigers to blow this sucker now.  —  It's not going to happen.  It was never going to happen.  The Tigers still could finish second in the AL Central, but their 8-2 victory …

Notes: Nolasco's health a bright spot  —  Right-hander's knee came through fine after two missed starts  —  NEW YORK — Not all was lost for the Marlins in their disheartening 8-7 loss in 10 innings to the Braves on Sunday.  —  Rookie Ricky Nolasco shook off the rust of skipping two starts …

Mailbag: Can Jays win East in '07?  —  Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers Jays fans' questions  —  I thought this year would be the Jays' time to shine, but the injuries to A.J. Burnett and Gustavo Chacin really hurt their chances.  If Burnett and Chacin and everyone else …

Towers: 'These guys don't miss (Mirabelli)'  —  LOS ANGELES - Doug Mirabelli won't be getting a Christmas card from Padres General Manager Kevin Towers, but maybe he should.  —  The cranky catcher who was traded to Boston on May 1 after a .182 April is one of the central characters of the Padres' season.

Trachsel saves best for last  —  Steve Trachsel wishes he would've walked slower.  He wished he would've soaked up the applause from the standing ovation he received in the seventh inning last night, as much as his T-shirt was soaking up the champagne that his teammates had doused all over him a short while later.

Cards fall in 9th  —  MILWAUKEE — Sifting through the rubble of a ninth-inning loss, the Cardinals were left to ponder an intriguing question: Can Anthony Reyes pitch for this team in October?  —  The 82-loss Milwaukee Brewers took care of the details Monday when second baseman Tony Graffanino ended …

Prospectus Hit List  —  Team  —  Overall W-L  —  Week W-L  —  Hit List Factor  —  Trend  —  Despite dropping three out of four to the Red Sox in back-to-back doubleheaders, the Yanks finish the week with the majors' best record, and their magic number to clinch the AL East for the ninth straight time now stands at four.

Matthews continues to haul in accolades  —  ARLINGTON - Gary Matthews Jr. picked up yet another honor Monday, being named the American League player of the week.  —  "When [Rangers media relations director] Gregg Elkin told me about it, I thought it was Rangers player of the week …

Giants pitchers battered by Rockies in 20-8 loss  —  Lowry lasts just 1-1/3 innings as S.F. allows its highest run total since '59  —  DENVER - The last time the Giants gave up 20 runs in a game, Dwight Eisenhower was president, the U.S. flag had 49 stars and an upstart named Fidel Castro had just established Communist rule in Cuba.

Notes: Kazmir shut down for season with shoulder injury  —  From wire reports  —  Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir won't pitch again this season because of a left shoulder injury.  —  Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon announced the decision, which had been expected …

Full Play-by-Play Los Angeles vs. San Diego  —  GameCenter  · Full Play-by-Play  · Box Score  · Recap  · Game Chart  · Photos  —  PADRES 1ST  —  Brad Penny pitching:  —  Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Roberts grounded out to second.