CHILD'S GIFT GIVES GARDNER BOOST  —  After speaking to the media on one of the biggest nights of his young career, Brett Gardner reached into his locker stall in the Yankees clubhouse and found a small red bracelet attached to a pale yellow card.  It was a special gift from a special child.

Delgado surgery possible, Pagan activated  —  Carlos Delgado landed on the DL and could be headed for surgery on his ailing right hip.  Angel Pagan (pictured) will be in uniform Saturday when the Mets face the Giants.  —  Delgado will be examined by a doctor, who will advise him whether …

Milton ready to get back to big leagues  —  Los Angeles (25-12) at Florida (17-19), 3:10 p.m. PT  —  MIAMI — On 12 occasions since 1947, the Dodgers started left-handers in four consecutive games, according to David Smith of Retrosheet.  —  They're about to do it again …

Mets Considering Trading For A First Baseman  —  As Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports, Carlos Delgado's hip problems have put his career in jeopardy.  For now he's on the DL, but there's no immediate timeline for his return.  This leaves the Mets without a first baseman.

Pirates acquire Hacker from Yankees  —  The Pirates have acquired minor league starter Eric Hacker from the New York Yankees, a source disclosed this afternoon.  The rest of the trade details are not yet known.  —  Hacker, 26, had been designated for assignment last Saturday …

Homestand not what Dragons expected  —  Dayton drops seven of 10 games to land in 6th, 14½ games out of 1st.  —  DAYTON — The homestand at Fifth Third Field didn't help.  —  Today, as the Dragons head for Lansing to begin a 10-game road trip, they're further behind first place West Michigan …

Scales making most of first run in Majors  —  Chicago (20-14) vs. Houston (16-18), 12:05 p.m. CT  —  CHICAGO — Lou Piniella spent seven seasons in the Minor Leagues before he was called up for good, which is nothing compared to what Bobby Scales has endured.

Florida Marlins: Who wasn't ejected for the Marlins tonight?  —  Strange night out at the yard, where veteran umpire Ed Rapuano, working first base, turned a triple play of sorts.  —  In a span of two innings — separated by a 17-minute rain delay — Rap tossed Fredi Gonzalez, Dan Uggla and Emilio Bonifacio.

Another Side of Kerouac: The Dharma Bum as Sports Nut  —  Almost all his life Jack Kerouac had a hobby that even close friends and fellow Beats like Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs never knew about.  He obsessively played a fantasy baseball game of his own invention …

Struggling Padres shake up roster  —  Towers makes flurry of moves, hints more may come  —  SAN DIEGO — A Padres team that has lost 20 of its last 24 games got a new look on Friday as several fresh faces stepped through the home clubhouse doors at PETCO Park.

Rusch out in what could be first move in roster juggling  —  PITTSBURGH — Glendon Rusch is the first domino to fall, but others could soon follow.  According to baseball sources, the Rockies are discussing additional personnel changes in the wake of the team's disappointing 14-20 start.

Manny Ramirez apologizes to Dodgers  —  'We still support him.  He's our teammate,' reliever Cory Wade says after a short meeting between players and the suspended outfielder at the team's Florida hotel.  —  Reporting from Miami — Outfielder Manny Ramirez apologized to his Dodgers teammates today during …

Coghlan, fan reach hard bargain  —  MILWAUKEE - In spite of a fan's efforts to shake down the Marlins for merchandise in exchange for Chris Coghlan's first home run ball, Coghlan ultimately took possession of it after Wednesday's game.  —  Nick Yohanek, aka “The Happy Youngster,” …