His role is invaluable  —  Okajima sets up for closing time  —  We write this over and over, but we can't write it enough.  How valuable is Hideki Okajima?  How much of a godsend has he been for the Red Sox?  —  You can grit your teeth and wrench your hands when you talk …

Struggling Beltran says quad hurts  —  The Carlos and Carlos show of 2006 is suffering a sophomore slump.  —  After hitting a combined 79 home runs and driving in a combined 230 runs in their first season as Mets teammates, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado have struggled this year, typified by yesterday's dismal showing at the plate.

Clippard out, Thompson up, Igawa next?  —  The Yankees optioned Tyler Clippard to Class AAA Scranton after the game and recalled OF Kevin Thompson.  —  With six games coming up at NL parks, they need the extra position player.  —  The Yankees will need a starter on Saturday in San Francisco …

Angelos has been slow to fire, but it's clear he's simmering  —  So far, Orioles owner Peter Angelos has exercised his right to remain silent about the status of embattled manager Sam Perlozzo, but it isn't hard to imagine what's going on in his head.  —  He has spent the past month waiting …

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...LEE MAZZILLI  —  June 17, 2007 — The Post's Steve Serby sat down with the SNY pre- and post-game host at Polpo restaurant in Greenwich, Conn., not far from the former Met and Yankee's home:  —  Q: Condolences on losing your 87-year-old father [Libero] last week.

Notes: Millwood ready to rebound  —  Veteran goes for first win since April 13 on Sunday  —  CINCINNATI — Rangers manager Ron Washington thinks Opening Day starter Kevin Millwood needs one thing.  —  One good game.  —  "He just needs a good game where he hits his spots and has some success," Washington said.

Willis sore but OK after collision  —  KANSAS CITY, MO. — Pitcher Dontrelle Willis said he expects to make his next scheduled start, even though he still felt some minor soreness in his left forearm Friday from where he was accidentally kicked by Cleveland's Grady Sizemore on Thursday.

Angels lose two players to injury  —  Anderson back on DL; Kotchman suffers concussion  —  LOS ANGELES — Angels left fielder Garret Anderson left Saturday's game in the second inning after aggravating an injury in the area of his right hip flexor tendon chasing a first-inning fly ball.

Transition to America lost in the translation  —  But Rockies endeavor to ease culture shock  —  On the mound, Rockies setup man Manny Corpas seems fearless.  Off the field, the 24-year-old is quiet and shy, a product of Panama City, Panama, where he grew up extremely poor.

Marlins send Vanden Hurk to Double-A  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Florida Marlins sent Rick Vanden Hurk to Double-A Carolina on Friday night after the rookie right-hander got the win in a 9-8 victory over Kansas City.  —  The Marlins also said outfielder Brett Carroll would be brought …

A Dunn deal?  He thinks so  —  6 teams, including White Sox, said to check out slugger  —  Adam Dunn has heard it before—the Cincinnati Reds are shopping him for a possible trade.  —  But there's a difference this time around.  —  "Unofficially?"  Dunn told the Dayton Daily News.

Cards recall Reyes  —  OAKLAND - Hours after starting pitcher Braden Looper left the fifth inning of a 14-3 loss to the Oakland A's because of shoulder stiffness, the Cardinals addressed their fraying rotation early Saturday morning by recalling Anthony Reyes from Triple-A Memphis and optioning reliever Kelvin Jimenez.

Cubs, Padres brawl at Wrigley  —  Derrek Lee among four ejected  —  The Cubs are feeling like human pincushions these days, and Alfonso Soriano says they're not going to take it anymore.  —  Soriano's moonwalk out of the batter's box Friday after his home run onto Waveland Avenue certainly irritated …

Weaver's OK with the hook  —  Pitcher isn't angry with Scioscia for taking him out in the sixth inning.  —  As Mike Scioscia strode to the mound to remove Jered Weaver with one out in the sixth inning Saturday at Dodger Stadium, the Angels right-hander stood motionless …