2004 TITLE CAN'T KILL CURSE OF BAMBINO  —  BOSTON - Acollectionofframed newspaper front pages from the 2004 World Series lines the walls outside of Fenway Park's press box.  The headlines scream "Finally," "Hallelujah" and "Curse Busters," celebrating the end of an 86-year-old title drought.

WANG THE GUY AT RIGHT TIME  —  CHIEN'S BACK STIFFENS AS YANKS BLAST M'S  —  Send it in on Chien.  —  There are very few locks in life, yet when Chien-Ming Wang is on the hill for the Yankees, wagering on the Bombers is a wise investment.  Even on nights when his back barks and he is removed from the game.

Peavy set to go on three days' rest  —  PHOENIX - Aligning his ace against the Padres' closest rival, manager Bud Black will start Jake Peavy on short rest tonight against the Diamondbacks, a move that Peavy not only welcomed but suggested.  —  Black said that Peavy, coming off a 99-pitch scoreless performance, told him: "I feel good.

Notes: Detwiler and Maxwell reach bigs  —  Two prospects will likely sit and learn for most of September  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler and center fielder Justin Maxwell reported to the big league team on Tuesday afternoon.  —  Manager Manny Acta reiterated …

Delgado injures hip, forcing hot bat to sidelines  —  CINCINNATI - Carlos Delgado hurt his right hip on an eighth-inning swing and left the game after the at-bat, likely sidelining him from today's series finale against the Reds.  Delgado had been enjoying a three-hit game and is hitting .389 on the trip.

Chipper sounds off on umps after loss to Phillies  —  ATLANTA — Not long after the Atlanta Braves lost for the 10th time in 14 games, Chipper Jones had some choice words for home plate umpire Rick Reed.  —  The Braves struck out six times in a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night, continuing their descent in the NL East.

Comerica Park's attendance dwindling like Tigers' playoff hopes  —  It's not time for administering the last rites just yet, but it wouldn't hurt having the priest's cell phone number at the ready.  —  Labor Day is the historical starting gun for the playoff pennant chase …

Crawford sees pattern of 'bad calls'  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Carl Crawford's Monday outburst at umpire Paul Nauert is officially "under review" by MLB officials, who will determine in the next few days if the Rays All-Star should be fined or suspended, and for how long.

Pirates Notebook: Tracy wants young starters to go distance  —  ST. LOUIS — The Pirates' rotation is awash in uncertainty, even after the additions of Bryan Bullington and John Van Benschoten.  —  Paul Maholm's stiff back is preventing him from throwing, although he and manager Jim Tracy yesterday described it as improving.

Granderson having a remarkable statistical season … We knew that Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson had the potential for statistical greatness when, in 2005, his second big league season, he went 5-for-5, didn't score a run and didn't drive in a run in a 5-3 loss to the Angels.

In the Interim: Pete Mackanin`s Second Chance by John Perrotto  —  Pete Mackanin virtually spent a lifetime in the minor leagues waiting for a chance to manage in the major leagues, logging 1,766 games in 13 seasons as a skipper down on the farm.  Now, Mackanin is Cincinnati's interim manager …

On Message Boards, Scott Van Pelt and Fandom  —  In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that I read message boards constantly, that I'm a registered member of the Caps board, Extreme Skins, Terrapin Times and SportsJournalists.com and that I've also posted, under my own name, on Turtle Sports Report and GWHoops.

Alex Rodriguez homers for Yankees, OK after ankle scare  —  The sight, for a few seconds, took Yankee fans' breath away.  —  No, we're not talking about when Alex Rodriguez unleashed a titanic blast into the left field upper deck off Horacio Ramirez in the sixth inning for his major league-leading 46th homer.