Mailbag: Would order shift help Soriano?  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Given the team's recent and unexpected success, do you think general manager Jim Bowden and manager Frank Robinson will keep their jobs?  — Andrew M., Middleburg, Va.  —  Let's start with Bowden.

Critical stretch: Heckled Foulke has second straight stinker2-4893  —  If Keith Foulke wants to silence an obnoxious fan sitting behind the Red Sox dugout, he'll need to pitch better than he has the past two nights.  —  The target of a belligerent heckler, Foulke struggled …

D'backs make no excuses  —  Giants' next opponent is slumping, but players don't blame Grimsley flap  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are enduring a seven-game losing streak and the wake of the Jason Grimsley steroid scandal.  It's not a reach to suggest that these issues are related.

2,000 Is Becoming Popular Number for the Yankees  —  Bernie Williams's next appearance, most likely Tuesday night against Cleveland, will be his 2,000th.  He has played his entire career with the Yankees.  —  There are many magic numbers in baseball, but 2,000 is not really one of them.

Contreras' effort one for the book  —  Guillen tabs him likely All-Star starter after record-tying decision  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Jose Contreras moved into the White Sox record book Monday night, and he probably earned himself the honor of starting in the July 11 All-Star Game.

Since talent is watered down, don't blame juice  —  At some point, right about the time the war on drugs morphed into a war on baseball, a hole in logic grew to such Ruthian proportions that it's come to obscure rational thought.  Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased history.  Barry Bonds chased immortality.

Whiffs: a striking effect  —  Some baseball observers say strikeouts don't matter; first-year Marlins manager Joe Girardi doesn't agree.  —  cspencer@MiamiHerald.com  —  SAN DIEGO - Baseball's data crunchers say strikeouts are overrated, overemphasized and over-dramatized …

"Comedulce" a hero in his country  —  Phillies' Abreu often underrated in the United States  —  Susy, those delicious cookies with the chocolate-filled center, are famous across Venezuela and so tasty that the mere mention of them is enough to make Philadelphia right fielder Bobby Abreu close his eyes, smile and hum in delight.

Notes: Erstad's return a boost for Halos  —  Youngster Weaver knows return to Minors coming soon  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels defense received a boost on Monday when the club activated Darin Erstad from the 15-day disabled list.  —  Outfielder Tommy Murphy, who was hitting .243 with a home run …

For Bernie, cheering never stops  —  Consider, for a moment, the verbal abuse that imported stars Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson consistently get from Yankees fans for their on-field failures - perceived or otherwise.  Now think of the reaction Bernie Williams garners pretty much every …

Beltran's big week draws recognition  —  Mets center fielder named NL Player of the Week  —  Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran was named the National League Player of the Week for June 5-11, 2006.  —  The center fielder put up impressive numbers at the plate all week, and then capped it off with a four-hit …

Surging Mauer takes top AL honors  —  Twins catcher hits .625 and is named Player of the Week  —  Reaching base four times in one game is hard enough.  —  Reaching four times in five consecutive games is record-equaling and award-winning for Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer …