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.

Villone's Bad Stretch Extended  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The feeling is gone, and Ron Villone needs to get it back to be a factor for the Yankees in the playoffs.  —  "My mechanics get out of whack where I can't control where the ball is going," said Villone, who gave up three hits …

Willie pitches in Trach talk  —  The games have grown so mundane that each passing day at Shea now is spent trying to read between the lines rather than dissecting what's actually happening between them.  —  Will Steve Trachsel or John Maine round out the playoff rotation?

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.

Sheff: 'If' at first  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On the heels of clinching the division title last week, Joe Torre held a brief team meeting Friday and reminded his players that they still have something to play for.  —  Home-field advantage in the ALCS is at stake, something the Yankees are taking seriously.

Cards Notebook: Rolen is back  —  Scott Rolen returned to the lineup Sunday, one day after he considered himself "benched" against Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt.  Rolen, whose left shoulder has been a source of concern since he underwent surgery last year, made certain Sunday that reporters knew …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …