Sox suffer ex-treme damage  —  Ordonez's 2 HRs add insult to fading hope of his former team  —  The White Sox's sense of urgency was evident Monday night after eight pitches.  —  Unfortunately, the damage already was done before pitching coach Don Cooper visited the mound and rookie knuckleballer Charlie Haeger began to warm up.

Toast of the town!  —  The Mets had waited for what seemed like forever, 18 long years and one interminable weekend in Pittsburgh, before the coronation could officially take place last night at Shea Stadium.  —  It was set in motion by the bat of the Marlins' Josh Willingham …

Zimmerman Arrives at Resting Point  —  With his star third baseman showing signs of fatigue, Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson decided to leave Ryan Zimmerman out of the starting lineup for last night's series opener against the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.

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 …

With timing down, Murphy clocks one  —  NEW YORK — David Murphy led off the first game of yesterday's day-night doubleheader by slamming a Jaret Wright fastball into the right-field bleachers at Yankee Stadium for his first major league home run.  Tall, lanky, and with a sweet swing, Murphy …

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  The San Diego Padres have clawed their way back into first place in the NL West.  —  Now, they'll look to create some breathing room atop the division when they wrap up a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Notes: A's pitching lagging this month  —  Starters have struggled to a 6.39 ERA since Sept. 4  —  OAKLAND — During the first five months of the season, the A's had largely relied on their starting pitching.  Their starters' ERA has been ranked in the American League top five for the whole season …

Rays drop seventh straight  —  Bullpen can't hold lead in loss to Blue Jays in series finale  —  TORONTO — Another road game, another loss for the Devil Rays.  —  This time, it was a late-inning homer that cost Tampa Bay in a 5-3 defeat to Toronto on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Yankee rookies get Boss treatment  —  As part of hazing tradition, players dress like Steinbrenner  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees are an organization steeped in tradition.  From their 26 World Series titles to the Hall of Famers who have called Yankee Stadium their home, tradition is a big part of what makes the Yankees who they are.

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 …

Lieber, Phils lose slugfest to Cubs  —  Righty struggles early; big comeback not enough in opener  —  PHILADELPHIA — At the height of Philadelphia's fourth-inning surge, Citizens Bank Park couldn't have been louder or brighter, as white rally towels pierced the comfortable evening.