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 …

Crawford makes history in win  —  Ties league mark with 15 or more triples in three straight years  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Carl Crawford has set his share of records this season, just his fifth in the Major Leagues.  On Sunday, the speedy left fielder made history yet again.

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 …

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 …