Nats concerned about Johnson, not loss  —  Johnson collides with Kearns trying to catch a popup in right  —  NEW YORK — The Nationals actually suffered two losses on Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium, though the outcome of the game was far less important to Washington players.

Rockies err in salesmanship  —  Vinny Castilla was born on July 4, so he knows a little something about celebrations.  Today, Castilla will start at third base at Coors Field, bathing in standing ovations during each at-bat as he waves goodbye to Rockies fans.

Notes: Park makes surprising return  —  Righty activated a month after having intestinal surgery  —  SAN DIEGO — A little less than a month ago, it didn't seem likely that Chan Ho Park would be where he's at now, with a little over a week to go in the regular season.

Like all great relievers, Smith wanted to start  —  Back then, and it wasn't all that long ago, nobody ever started off as a closer.  Nobody began his professional baseball career with the plan - or desire - to become the all-time saves leader.  —  "The day the Chicago Cubs told …

Baker seems resigned to packing it in  —  Manager thinking about packing up; Hendry stays mum  —  CINCINNATI — While Dusty Baker would like to know his fate as soon as possible, he still will have to wait until after the Cubs' season finale next Sunday at Wrigley Field.

The one potential flaw for each contender … Achilles was the greatest of the Greek warriors in the Trojan War.  As a child, his mother dipped him in the River Styx.  The water made him invulnerable except for his heel, by which his mother held him.  Eventually, that's how Achilles was defeated, a strike to his heel.

That Season Ticket on eBay?  It Could Cost Seller the Seat  —  The Yankees are revoking the season tickets of fans who have sold their unused tickets on StubHub.com and other Web sites and are looking to start their own entity to sell tickets in the lucrative secondary market.

Parity on the Field (Maybe), Dollar Disparity (Definitely)  —  To some, parity is an ugly six-letter word.  To Commissioner Bud Selig, parity is pretty.  This season, he said, reflects that development.  —  "Absolutely," he said emphatically.  —  One week remains in the regular season.

Notes: Surgery likely for Clement  —  Right-hander's injury-shortened season comes to an end  —  TORONTO — With his last attempt to pitch for the Red Sox in 2006 stonewalled after throwing less than 10 pitches in a Friday side session, right-hander Matt Clement is now facing the likelihood of surgery.

Prospectus Today  —  Principles  —  With the great races we had so recently having dwindled to a three-to-make-two in the National League, the big story today is the ordering to jail of Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, the San Francisco Chronicle writers best known for their reportage …

Littleton a rookie surprise  —  ARLINGTON - The biggest positive surprise in the Rangers' bullpen this season arguably has been the performance of right-hander Wes Littleton.  —  The rookie has less than three months of major-league experience, along with the lowest ERA of any pitcher on the staff.