Padres fall into tie for wild-card lead  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bud Black still likes San Diego's situation with six games to go, even though the Padres' problems are mounting.  —  Fast.  —  Missing two injured outfielders, San Diego lost its fourth straight game Monday night — and sole possession of the wild-card lead.

Washington (69-87) at NY Mets (87-68)  —  The NL East-leading New York Mets hope the lowly Washington Nationals don't give them trouble this time as the teams open a three-game set Monday.  —  New York (87-68) squandered a pair of early four-run leads in losing two of three contests at Washington (69-87) last week.

Pitching coach opts to 'explore options'  —  Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has left the Marlins because of what sources described as a dispute over his salary for next season.  —  With a 66-90 record and six games left, the Marlins are headed toward one of the worst finishes in their 15-year history, largely because of poor pitching.

Lynn: Ellsbury has familiar look  —  In 15 games as a September call-up, the Red Sox [team stats]' 6-foot-1, lean, left-handed center fielder went 18-for-43, hitting .419 with two doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBI, setting the stage for a historic rookie season.

Erstad: Take it and move on  —  Sox outfielder-first baseman not dwelling on unproductive 2007  —  The mind truly is a terrible thing to waste.  —  In some cases, an even scarier place to visit.  —  Welcome to the world of White Sox veteran Darin Erstad, where you enter at your own risk.

Willis assesses future with Marlins  —  Club's all-time winningest pitcher uncertain of his return in '08  —  MIAMI — Numbers alone don't measure the value of Dontrelle Willis.  They never have.  —  A consummate professional with boundless energy and enthusiasm, Willis has been the face …

Yankees Rookies Dress Up in Oz Costumes  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Joba Chamberlain raised his oversized paws, shook his shaggy brown mane and let out a feeble roar.  Looking and acting every bit the Cowardly Lion, the big reliever was ready for a scrap Monday.  —  "Put 'em up!

Notes: Harris pleased with Kearns  —  Hitting coach happy with slugger's second-half production  —  NEW YORK — Nationals interim hitting coach Lenny Harris has been on the job since May and he said his most pleasant surprise has been right fielder Austin Kearns.

Hill shut down for season  —  Righty will need surgery for nerve problem in forearm  —  NEW YORK — Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will miss the rest of the season because of a nerve problem in his right forearm.  Like right-hander John Patterson before him, the radial nerve needs to be decompressed.

East Races Are as Different as N.L. and A.L.  —  At 6:08 p.m. on my laptop digital clock yesterday, both New York teams had the bases loaded.  Alex Rodriguez was at bat in the Bronx while Carlos Delgado was up in Florida, two of the great hitters of this generation.

Mazzone's magic yet to mend Orioles' mound woes  —  BALTIMORE — Leo Mazzone arrived in Baltimore nearly two years ago armed with immaculate credentials, a three-year, $1.5 million contract and a Herculean assignment: return the Orioles pitching staff to respectability.

Sox to face A's, Twins in final week  —  Oakland (75-82) at Boston (92-64), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET  —  With a postseason berth assured, Red Sox Nation is clamoring for a little more this time around.  —  Hey, guys, how about a Division championship?  —  "It's a challenge," starter Tim Wakefield said.

Rondell White is "99 percent" sure this will be his last week as a ballplayer  —  DETROIT (AP) — Rondell White plans to retire after finishing this season with the Minnesota Twins.  —  The popular outfielder and designated hitter said there is a "99 percent chance" he will hang up his spikes for good after this week.