Mets official up for Bucs GM job  —  Amaro, Zduriencik among other potential candidates  —  Mets assistant general manager Tony Bernazard and Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava have interviewed for the open Pirates GM job, SI.com has learned.  —  Bernazard is GM Omar Minaya's right-hand man …

Trembley, Cabrera get suspensions  —  Penalties announced amid lineup shake-up; Tejada sits, grumbles  —  Orioles manager Dave Trembley learned yesterday that he had been fined and assessed a three-game suspension as a result of his on-field tirade a night earlier.

Mets hope to silence Phillies  —  When the Mets last saw the Philadelphia Phillies, it was a glimpse that they wouldn't soon forget.  The Phillies were racing onto the field at Citizens Bank Park, celebrating an improbable victory and a four-game sweep of the Mets.  —  A few of the Mets stayed and watched.

Slew of talents vying for NL MVP  —  Fielder, Pujols and Rollins top candidates in tight race  —  Since Barry Bonds won his fourth consecutive National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2004, the NL MVP has had a different winner each year, with Albert Pujols outpointing Andruw Jones …

Cubs still the choking kind  —  If the schedule is the only measure, then, yeah, go ahead and give the National League Central to Chicago.  The divisional dregs plus Florida are something like a combined 50 games below .500, the martial equivalent of facing the French army reserves when it matters.

Home field more critical for some than others  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  If you look over the current MLB standings, you'll notice that we're pretty light on close races at the moment.  —  We've still got more than two weeks left in the regular season, yet only the NL Central and wild-card races are seriously tight right now.

Ian Kennedy shines, but Yankees' winning streak ends  —  TORONTO - It was only Ian Kennedy's third start in the major leagues, but everything seemed so comfortable for him last night, like he was pitching "anywhere else - USC, anywhere in the minor leagues," he said.

Ryan steps down as Twins GM  —  Vice president/assistant GM Bill Smith to take over position  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Terry Ryan has often been lauded as one of the best talent evaluators in baseball.  —  And now he'll get a chance to fulfill his love of scouting talent, full-time.

Hoffman heeds no call for career exit strategy  —  LOS ANGELES - Trevor Hoffman is counting on the hitters for his exit cue.  —  A month short of his 40th birthday, the Padres' prolific closer is perplexed by how often he's being asked, in one way or another, "How much longer?"

Nats Want Prime-Time '08 Opener  —  The Washington Nationals are pushing the idea of opening their new ballpark next season on a national stage, asking Major League Baseball officials to grant them a prime-time game on a Sunday night to be broadcast on ESPN, according to sources who have been briefed on the club's plans.

Cards' last stand?  —  A week ago, tonight's game promised the start of something rare, even historic.  Now the Cardinals must decide whether three nights in September represent a rescue or a salvage operation.  —  The Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, two teams that share a rivalry …

For Hitters, Not Much to Miss  —  As Final Homestand Begins, Nats Ready to Bid Farewell to RFK  —  It hosted Livan Hernandez's fastball for strike one against Arizona's Craig Counsell, the moment — 7:06 p.m., April 14, 2005 — when baseball returned to Washington.