Val's 2 HRs a spark  —  When you have a season like the Mets are having, you need help from unexpected sources.  So give a tip of the cap to Jose Valentin, Mr. Unexpected Source.  —  Valentin was the offensive star of last night's National League East-clinching 4-0 win over the Marlins at Shea Stadium.

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 …

Sheffield aims for this week  —  TORONTO - How real is the possibility of Gary Sheffield playing first base for the Yankees in a playoff game?  —  "If we feel confident that he can play the position, I don't envision that being a problem," Joe Torre said.  "But we need to see something to tell us that."

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.

Rookie Rasner rolling in rotation  —  Right-hander fills in with six solid innings against Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — With six pitchers having spent time on the disabled list this season, a major reason for the Yankees' success has been the ability of less-heralded arms to step into the rotation.

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

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.