Elbow stiffness keeps Lidge out of ninth  —  Phils go with Contreras in final frame of Monday's victory  —  DENVER — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before Monday night's 9-5 victory over the Rockies that he was ready to turn Brad Lidge loose.  —  He then said after the game he wanted to stay away from him.

Beckett's next start delayed  —  He has spasms in his back after BP  —  Manager Terry Francona announced Josh Beckett would be pushed back from tomorrow's scheduled start to Friday to give him a chance to throw a second side session, and to give Tim Wakefield a start.

Chipper no longer talking about retirement  —  MILWAUKEE - Those wondering what's going through Chipper Jones' head these days vis-à-vis the retirement possibility he mentioned last fall, well, you can stop wondering for the time being.  —  He said he's not thinking about walking away after the 2010 season.

Citi Field's Garbage Problem  —  At game time Monday night, the wind at Citi Field blew at 19 miles per hour, strong but not as gusty as it was Saturday and Sunday, when it blew trash in swirls across the field.  —  But trash was evident in the first inning, and it forced the grounds crew …

Darryl Strawberry bashes Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden for feud with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez  —  ALBANY - Former Mets and Yankees great Darryl Strawberry brushed back mouthy Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden - and his grandmother - for their cracks on Alex Rodriguez.

Modern pitchers taken to task by legend Jenkins  —  MERRILLVILLE — During his keynote speech at Monday's Meet the RailCats luncheon at the Radisson Hotel, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins lamented the lack of assertiveness on the part of modern pitchers.  —  “In my era, we knocked people on their butt …

Hillman is failing  —  Trey Hillman hasn't failed.  Not yet, not final, not past tense.  There is still hope.  —  But Hillman is failing.  Right now, in Kansas City's conversation and the present tense.  Hope is fading, and school's not even out.  —  The calls for Hillman's job …

Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu denies report that Ken Griffey Jr. was sleeping in clubhouse  —  Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu denied Tuesday that Ken Griffey Jr. was asleep in the clubhouse when he was needed to pinch-hit Saturday.  —  Griffey

A Steep Climb to Immortality  —  A-Rod as the Ultimate Home-Run King May Not Be a Sure Thing After All  —  Alex Rodriguez's home-run trots have been infrequent so far this season.  Entering Monday's game, he has hit only three round-trippers.  —  Alex Rodriguez is now seventh …

Final Pitch  —  It's with a great deal of excitement that I'm announcing today that I've taken a job as a Baseball Analyst in the front office of the Cleveland Indians.  I'm thrilled that I'll be joining the great Keith Woolner and Jason Pare in the Indians front office, and I'm excited to contribute to the club.

Javier Vazquez used break from Yankees rotation to improve mentality, mechanics … DETROIT — Javier Vazquez found a safe haven in the right-field bullpen at Yankee Stadium exactly a week ago today, when the troubled right-hander began a process that the Yankees hope will bring an end to a string of disastrous starts.

Angels regroup to top Rays in 11th  —  Rivera's walk-off sac fly overshadows Fuentes' hiccup  —  ANAHEIM — Angels manager Mike Scioscia knows there's no such thing as an easy win.  —  It certainly wasn't the case on Monday at Angel Stadium, when the Angels blew a four-run lead for the second …

Elena Kagan, Supreme Court nominee, is a Mets fan — will Yankees fan Justice Sotomayor object?  —  Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is Mets fan.  She better watch out for Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a Yankees fan.  —  With his nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, President Obama may have ignited a firestorm.

Glavine to have number retired by Braves  —  Left-hander to be inducted into club's Hall of Fame on Aug. 6  —  ATLANTA — The Braves will honor Tom Glavine with the same royal treatment that they provided Greg Maddux during a memorable ceremony last summer.

Beltran is Jogging, & Chat with Will Carroll  —  Last week in Newsday, David Lennon said Carlos Beltran planned to try running on a baseball field yesterday in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  —  So far, there has been no news reported on how he did, or if he even tried to run.

Rangers top AL West despite injuries, distractions  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have been without at least one of their sluggers every game.  Their opening day starter and the rotation's prized offseason acquisition have both struggled.  —  Off the field, the pending sale …