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 …

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

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 …

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 …

Cranky shoulder hinders Calero  —  notebook  —  OAKLAND — Although A's reliever Kiko Calero has appeared just once in the last 11 games, his right shoulder was cranky Sunday and he wasn't available to pitch, according to manager Ken Macha.  —  Calero's last appearance was Tuesday in Minnesota …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Change of tune?  —  Yankees' Williams may retire to further music career  —  Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams is contemplating retirement, though not for the usual reasons.  It isn't because age or diminishing skills have taken their toll; judging by this year and last, Williams' skills …

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.