Millwood roughed up early in loss  —  Home finale showcases Rangers' disappointment with season  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks had enough in the top of the sixth inning while the Cleveland Indians were in the middle of a five-run rally.  —  Hicks got up from his front-row seat next …

Hoffman makes history as Friars sweep  —  Closer converts save No. 479 to capture all-time record  —  SAN DIEGO — The final regular-season game of 2006 at PETCO Park is in the books.  Closer Trevor Hoffman put it in the record books.  —  Hoffman calmly set down the Pirates in order …

Out of limelight, two sluggers keep building their MVP cases  —  Even though much of the talk about the AL MVP recently has centered around Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, a pair of small-market stars warrant just as much consideration.

Notes: Ortiz matches Ruth's mark  —  Big Papi's 53rd homer of season is 32nd hit on the road  —  TORONTO — Thanks to the heart palpitations that kept him out of the lineup for eight games, David Ortiz will likely run out of time in his quest to join Babe Ruth (60 homers in 1927) and Roger Maris …

Angels Could Make Play For A-Rod  —  These are the words you love to hear if you're a fan, and they came this week from Angels owner Arte Moreno:  —  "I'll guarantee we're going to do something major.  We explored it before, but now we have goals we want to attain and that we will accomplish, whether through free agency or trades."

Nationals' Johnson Suffers Broken Leg  —  Femur Fractured in Collision on Field: Mets 12, Nationals 6  —  As soon as Nick Johnson's body slammed off that of Austin Kearns, he rolled limply to the turf, screamed in agony and flung his glove in the air, his expression mixing frustration with pain.

Tigers top KC, clinch playoff spot  —  Detroit to play in postseason for first time in 19 years  —  KANSAS CITY — The "best worst team in baseball," as Matt Anderson put it three years ago, now has a chance to be the best, period.  Craig Monroe's three-run homer punctuated a nine-run second inning Sunday …

Bucs' Simms has spleen removed after loss to Carolina  —  Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms had his spleen removed at a Tampa, Fla., hospital after rupturing it in Sunday's 26-24 loss to Carolina, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.  —  According to a source close to Simms' family …

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.

Angels refuse to watch A's celebrate  —  Santana rolls as Halos prevent Oakland from clinching  —  OAKLAND — The Angels can only begin to dream, but the what-ifs are slowly becoming more plausible.  —  Such as, what if they continue playing loose and winning baseball, while the A's feel the increasing pressure of the pennant race?

Notes: Hudson away for a few games  —  Second-base defensive whiz dealing with family issues  —  LOS ANGELES — Second baseman Orlando Hudson left the team Sunday to deal with a family issue in Atlanta, but is expected back in the next few days.  —  "He had a family issue to deal with …

Cubs can't hold on, fall to Reds  —  Ramirez sets career high with 37th long ball in loss  —  CINCINNATI — It's been more than a month since Ryan Dempster got his last save, and after Sunday, he may not get another chance the rest of the season.  Whether he'll get the opportunity next year is to be determined.

He Has Met the Mets and He Owns Them  —  Andy Fogel of Suffern, N.Y., and his Mets memorabilia.  His wife, Rona, sets limits but admits, "It's better than a mistress."  —  Even Hollywood has made the pilgrimage to the mecca of Mets memorabilia, a shrine to Andy Fogel's favorite team.

For N.F.L., Crowd Noise Has Become a Headache  —  At most big ballgames, noise is good, and more noise is better.  —  Skin-baring cheerleaders, cartoonish mascots and maniacal M.C.'s take turns trying to whip fans into a frenzy.  Scoreboard messages tease the crowd with fake decibel meters and implore fans to "Raise the Roof!"

Gibbons calls foul after plunking wife with ball  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — The odds of such an occurrence seem insurmountable, yet Jay Gibbons pulled off the unimaginable feat: He hit a foul ball that injured his wife.  —  The scene occurred in the ninth inning of the Baltimore Orioles' game against Minnesota on Saturday.

Still making Krazy waves  —  ESPN TO FOLLOW SJSU'S GEORGE  —  Krazy George is back in town.  Krazy is happy.  Happy with his brand-new hip.  Happy with everything.  —  Except those lying, pompous asses at the University of Washington.  —  ``They've got a huge budget at the athletic program,'' Krazy said Thursday.

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 …