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.

I hope Cecil Cooper is learning from his mistakes.  —  Cecil Cooper is going to fail as a big league manager if he's unwilling to confront Carlos Lee about his lack of hustle and his habit showing up late for batting practice.  He'll lose respect in the clubhouse, and when that goes, a manager can't continue.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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.