Dodgers fire Hall of Famer Murray as hitting coach  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers fired Hall of Famer Eddie Murray as hitting coach Thursday after completing a three-game sweep of the NL East-leading New York Mets in which they got 31 hits and scored 18 runs.

Price is still right  —  A $13 million offer will still get it done for another year of Curt Schilling in Boston.  —  Despite asserting that he'd hit the free-agent market this off-season after Theo Epstein and the Red Sox declined to extend him during spring training …

Everett breaks leg in collision  —  Astros shortstop out 4-8 weeks with fractured right fibula  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros' bad season turned a little worse on Thursday, following the news that slick-fielding shortstop Adam Everett will miss four to eight weeks with a broken right leg.

Mets Try Clubhouse Humor to Offset Their Frustration  —  Five Mets players sat around a small card table before Tuesday's game playing dominoes.  They were shouting, laughing, enjoying themselves.  A few hours later, after another disheartening loss, the only sounds coming from the clubhouse …

Brewers promote top prospect  —  Gallardo gets the call; lefty Capuano lands on the DL  —  DETROIT — The Yovani Gallardo era already was beginning a bit earlier than the Brewers would have liked.  Now it could begin earlier yet.  —  The team on Thursday afternoon the promotion of Gallardo …

Nats Blow It, Then Blow It Open  —  Lopez's Triple in 11th Clears Bases: Nationals 9, Orioles 6  —  On into the night they went, the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles, two teams in last place in their respective divisions playing like squads fighting for wild-card spots.

Barrett will catch more bench time  —  Piniella believes rest should 'help' catcher  —  Cubs catcher Michael Barrett's playing time will be reduced in the coming weeks, even though Henry Blanco is at least two weeks from returning from the disabled list.  —  "It has been a tough couple of weeks …

Pirates Notebook: Wilson feels 'one day' led to benching  —  Quite obviously, Jack Wilson is being benched.  —  Just as obviously, he is not exactly beaming about it.  —  Although Wilson said nothing inflammatory after learning Pirates manager Jim Tracy would go with Jose Castillo …

Posada power  —  Homer continues catcher's hit parade  —  ALEX RODRIGUEZ can opt out, or so everyone has heard about 252 million times.  Mariano Rivera is unsigned beyond this season.  And so is Joe Torre.  —  But how many Yankees have been more indispensable in what could be their pinstriped swan songs than Jorge Posada?

Rodriguez And Pettitte Turn Success Into Victory  —  When the Yankees played in Chicago last week, Manager Joe Torre considered giving Alex Rodriguez a day off.  Torre guessed that Rodriguez might be worn down mentally by the swirl of stories about his private life, and worn down physically by playing every game this season.

Nobody Beats The Quiz  —  OK, all books and papers away, please.  Pull out a number 2 pencil.  It's time for the first annual New York Mets Nobody Beats the Quiz®.  —  Answer, if you will, the following eight questions:  —  1. Which of the following players has the greatest chance …

Oh Man, Tell Me This Isn't The Coolest Thing Ever!!!  —  Man I miss college....

Notes: Cortez has psychic powers  —  Recently recalled infielder has made some crazy predictions  —  KANSAS CITY — Joey Gathright figures that Fernando Cortez, the Royals' just-arrived infielder, must be aligned with the moon and the stars.  Or something.  —  "He predicts the future," Gathright said.

The Mustache Ride Is Over  —  In a shocking end to the brilliant run of one of the greatest catchers of the past decade, Sal Fasano's career went black on Wednesday.  Fans of the 'stache don't have any idea what will happen next.  Will he be back in the bigs in a week?

ESPN, Fox discuss expanding Bonds coverage  —  NEW YORK — Whether they're rooting for him or against him, fans might get to see a lot of Barry Bonds on television.  —  Fox and ESPN are discussing the possibility of expanding coverage of Bonds as he approaches Hank Aaron's home run mark of 755 …