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.

Strained hip to sideline Delgado  —  Mets first baseman likely to miss seven to 10 days of action  —  CINCINNATI — Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado will miss a week to 10 days with a strained right hip flexor, New York vice president of player development Tony Bernazard said Wednesday after the Mets' 7-0 loss to the Reds.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Patterson brother is sent home  —  The Patterson family name took another hit in Chicago sports lore Tuesday when Eric, the brother of Corey, was replaced on the Cubs' roster after showing up late to the ballpark Monday.  —  Eric Patterson, an All-Pacific Coast League second baseman …

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.

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.