Guillermo Mota gives no relief for Mets - again  —  The boos cascade down regardless of the situation for Guillermo Mota, usually beginning before he even unleashes a single pitch.  —  In what might have been a Shea first, Mota was booed even when he was announced as the winning pitcher during …

Ryan to step down as Twins GM  —  Terry Ryan will step down as Twins general manager and be succeeded by longtime assistant Bill Smith, according to three persons within the organization.  —  The Twins have called a 2 p.m. press conference today to announce a "major announcement'' in the baseball department.

Ump Tells Lout To Not Shout, So He's Out  —  There were so few fans at Dolphin Stadium for Wednesday's game, a season ticket holder got thrown out for heckling the umpire too loudly.  —  In the fifth inning of the Florida Marlins' 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals …

Lowe misses start with a hurt hand  —  The season that Derek Lowe felt was long grew even longer Wednesday, his start pushed back by a contusion in his pitching hand.  —  Lowe was hurt playing catch with Jonathan Broxton during pregame warmups Tuesday, as a ball missed his glove and struck …

Baseball on HGH: 'We're doing everything we can'  —  Major League Baseball, furious at the continued criticism of its drug-testing policy, is convinced the program is the strongest in U.S. sports despite there being no practical test for human growth hormone.

As Yankees Look to Cash in Now, Stars Await in 2008  —  No matter how their season ends, the Yankees will have little time to savor victory or dwell on defeat.  They have major personnel decisions to make in the immediate aftermath of the season.  —  Actually, they have already decided on the basics …

Notes: Evans to interview for GM  —  Former Dodgers general manager to meet with club Thursday  —  HOUSTON — The Astros will conclude their first round of general manager interviews on Thursday when they meet with two candidates — assistant GM Ricky Bennett and Dan Evans …

Joe Torre brushes back Jays' A-Rod video game  —  TORONTO - Alex Rodriguez and the Blue Jays have a heated history this season, with A-Rod getting plunked twice in retaliation for his infamous "Ha!" play, when he distracted Toronto fielders from an infield pop.

Mussina sharp as Yankees win seventh in a row  —  TORONTO - When Joe Torre ambled out to the mound last night, Mike Mussina thought the manager was going to ask how he felt about pitching to lefty Lyle Overbay with two runners on base.  Torre stood close to his righthander and spoke quietly until …

Chipper could be back by Friday  —  New York — After sitting out this week's important series against the Mets with a sore oblique muscle in his right side, oft-injured third baseman Chipper Jones believes he could be ready to play Friday when the Braves open a series against the Nationals in Washington.

Diamondbacks hitters break loose  —  Reynolds, Snyder hit back-to-back home runs in 2nd inning for Arizona  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Blame it on the chilly conditions or the Giants' tough starting pitchers, but AT&T Park largely had been an offensive black hole for the Diamondbacks this season.

Ortiz comes to rescue again for Red Sox  —  As the night went deeper, and the zeros advanced across the scoreboard next to "BOSTON," it became increasingly difficult not to notice what was happening next to "NYY."  —  A seventh straight win by the Yankees, and a loss by the Red Sox in the rubber …

A Darling of Jazz  —  Who knew the Mets announcer could tell bebop from bunting?  —  A few weeks ago, I was startled when, in the middle of a broadcast, pitcher turned commentator Ron Darling declared, "I'm a huge Coltrane fan."  Baseball Prospectus hasn't confirmed this yet …

Attorney: Are Rays Hiding Something?  —  TAMPA - In July, the divorce lawyer for the wife of Elijah Dukes accused the beleaguered outfielder of using steroids.  —  Now, she is accusing the Devil Rays of trying to hide it.  —  NiShea Dukes' attorney, Catherine Real, said she has no direct evidence …

Notes: El Duque ailing just a bit  —  Despite the pain, veteran is still scheduled to pitch on Monday  —  NEW YORK — Orlando Hernandez insisted that he was feeling fine on Tuesday night — as fine, at least, as a pitcher can feel after allowing eight runs in three-plus unattractive innings.