A-Rod's case for megabucks gets stronger  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  NEW YORK - Attention, opt-out shoppers:  —  The latest Alex Rodriguez infomercial is a doozy.  —  Two home runs in one inning.  Two curtain calls in one inning.  The passing of Mel Ott and tying of Ernie Banks …

Nats Safely in Fourth With Fifth Straight Win  —  Sweep of Marlins Keeps Washington Clear of Cellar: Nationals 6, Marlins 4  —  The opposing pitcher threw 33 pitches, recorded two outs, walked the seventh- and eighth-place hitters with the bases loaded, fell behind the pitcher 2-0, was yanked …

New season, same rotation for Tigers  —  Burning questions as the Tigers try to whack the White Sox and at least eke out a wild-card playoff spot  —  Q .  Jump ahead, for a moment, to 2008.  What is the Tigers' rotation next Opening Day?  —  A .  Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Andrew Miller and Kenny Rogers.

Investigators Want to Talk to 45 Players About Suspected Steroid Use  —  As of mid-August, baseball's investigators looking into the use of performance-enhancing drugs still wanted to speak with at least 45 current and former major league players, most of them still active.

Lo Duca touches lives young and old  —  Clemente Award nominee helps sick kids, women with cancer  —  NEW YORK — Far removed from the sterile world of hospital beds and heart monitors — the world where Paul Lo Duca usually gives back — the Mets catcher was caught off guard last month …

Robbery Suspect Shot in the Leg, Police Say  —  A man suspected of robbing a vendor during the Nationals game at RFK Stadium apparently shot himself in the leg by mistake late last night as he tried to elude security guards, authorities said.  —  The incident began shortly before 10:30 p.m. …

Diamondbacks alone in 1st place  —  Three days ago, the sky was falling in Diamondbacks land, just as it was for them in June at Yankee Stadium, in July in the Midwest, in San Diego last week.  —  But if there is a lesson to be learned and relearned from this Diamondbacks team, it is to expect the unexpected.

Williams down on Charlotte  —  GM wanted to leave everyone in minors  —  DETROIT — Disappointing performances nearly caused general manager Ken Williams not to promote any Triple-A Charlotte players this month to the White Sox roster.  —  "I'm not happy with our performance here …

Johnson Vows To Lose Weight In Offseason  —  Nick Johnson spent much of the past week packing his Arlington apartment and preparing for an early flight this morning back to his home in Sacramento.  He leaves the Washington Nationals having not played a game in 2007 — all because of a broken …

Minor adjustment boosts Yankees' phenom Phil Hughes  —  JOE TORRE and Ron Guidry had a succinct message for Phil Hughes when they met with the rookie before a bullpen session earlier this week: Show us what got you here.  —  Admitting he had gotten away from the aggressive pitching that helped …

Reyes' rest two for one  —  CINCINNATI - Jose Reyes said he welcomed yesterday's day off, just the second time he had been out of the lineup this season.  "Basically it's going to be two days for me, so it's going to be nice," Reyes said, alluding to today's off-day before the Mets welcome the Astros to Shea tomorrow.

Hurdle suspended for tonight's game  —  Clint Hurdle's rush to question an umpire's judgment cost the Rockies manager a one-game suspension.  Hurdle will serve it tonight, meaning he'll miss the finale of the Rockies' three-game series with the Giants.  —  Friday night at Phoenix's Chase Field …