Nomar hurting, but delivers again in clutch  —  If this were July, Nomar Garciaparra probably wouldn't be playing because of a sore left quadriceps that has bothered him for more than a week.  —  Fortunately for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he's helping them battle for a playoff berth.

Plenty of fireworks, but sizzle fizzles for champs  —  Champs can't produce encore presentation; new cast on horizon?  —  They locked down U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday afternoon, too early for all the White Sox players and fans who had painted their bandwagons for a second straight parade.

Notes: Johnson's leg surgery a success  —  Doctors say first baseman should be ready by Spring Training  —  NEW YORK — From his hospital bed, first baseman Nick Johnson, recovering from his right leg surgery, watched on TV as his teammates dedicated their 5-1 win against the Mets to him.

Dempster blows save as Reds rally  —  'Ticked off' after 4th blown save in row  —  CINCINNATI — On Opening Day at Great American Ballpark, President Bush walked into the Cubs' clubhouse and extended his right hand to Dusty Baker.  —  "This is the year, right?"  Bush said as he and Baker shook hands.

Double Negative  —  Sox Eliminated; Manny Wants Out  —  TORONTO — Manny Ramirez had already showered and dressed as his teammates walked into the clubhouse Saturday after a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays that mathematically eliminated the Red Sox from making the playoffs.

Top rookie now a race  —  A convincing case could have been made a week ago for Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla to win the National League Rookie of the Year award.  —  Now, Hanley Ramirez has quite possibly emerged as the frontrunner to win the award, sizzling when Uggla is swooning.

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 …

Notes: Cota has no regrets  —  Catcher likely finishing final season with Pirates  —  SAN DIEGO — Humberto Cota has come to grips with the fact that, in all likelihood, he's about to spend his last week in a Pirates uniform.  —  Cota, who has the organization's Minor League Player of the Year in 2001 …

Houston 7, St. Louis 3  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Roger Clemens waved to Houston's fans for the final time this season.  Then, the rest of the Astros gave the sellout crowd even more to cheer about on Sunday night.  —  Clemens struck out six in five innings and Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer …

Alou gets 2,000th hit in Giants' loss  —  Cain gives up two-run homer, three-run double vs. Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — There was a quiet celebration Sunday by two baseball men — father and son — when Giants outfielder Moises Alou blooped a double into right field in the second inning …

Plan is to save Santana for playoffs  —  Twins hope ace can rest next weekend  —  BALTIMORE — The Twins are closing in on their first postseason berth since 2004, but manager Ron Gardenhire said he has been losing sleep lately.  —  At issue is a potential make-or-break decision regarding …

Shopping Place Ads Opinion Sitemap  —  | The Kid's last encounter with Florida ended in his worst second-half start that didn't include a cut finger.  He couldn't command his pitches and couldn't match Dontrelle Willis' zeroes in the Miami heat and humidity, lasting only four innings in a 3-0 loss Sept. 10.