Mets are running away with NL East  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ask an '86 Met what it's like to watch his 2006 descendants, and it's like examining a genealogy tree.  That's us, is what the retro Mets must be thinking, as this year's squad has taken a 7½ game lead in the East, ready to use the summer as calisthenics for the playoffs.

Timlin returns; Foulke put on DL  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Just as Mike Timlin and his rested shoulder rejoined the Red Sox bullpen, Keith Foulke assumed his own place on the disabled list yesterday, with an elbow issue that was labeled ``tendinitis.  Manager Terry Francona said after the game that an MRI confirmed the diagnosis.

Colon to return this weekend  —  He is expected to start Saturday or Sunday but whom he will replace is still up in the air.  —  ANAHEIM - Half of the equation is complete.  The Angels announced that Bartolo Colon will come off the disabled list this weekend.

Dodgers loss to Padres sparks changes  —  Top pitching prospect Billingsley promoted; Guzman demoted  —  SAN DIEGO — Jeff Kent was activated, Eric Gagne disabled, Chad Billingsley promoted, Joel Guzman demoted, Odalis Perez moved to the 'pen and Jae Seo injured on Tuesday night.

Teixeira working on glitch in swing  —  ARLINGTON - With an assist from hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo, Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira said he's identified the mechanical issue in his swing that has caused a significant drop in run production.  —  Now comes the tough part: fixing it.

Get some PrOPS  —  A couple of years ago, economics professor and die-hard Braves fan J.C. Bradbury got sick of watching Chipper Jones rip line drive after line drive right into the gloves of the opposition.  One of his beloved Braves was having a great season at the plate and it wasn't showing …

Twins option Batista for assignment  —  Bartlett recalled from Triple-A Rochester  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The days of Tony Batista as a Twin appear to now be over.  —  Following their 5-2 victory over the Red Sox in 12 innings Tuesday night, the Twins announced that they had designated Batista …

Alex the not -so-great hears it  —  Alex Rodriguez uses a performance enhancer every day.  His dealer is on the other end of the phone lines, peddling designer stuff that gives A-Rod a needed boost.  —  It's not what you might think.  This elixir is legal, created for captains of industry …

Cards Notebook: Ankiel out for season  —  PITTSBURGH — Rick Ankiel, pitching phenom reinvented as an outfielder, will miss the rest of the season after having knee surgery last month to correct an injury sustained in spring training.  —  Ankiel will not play until 2007, Cardinals officials confirmed Tuesday.

Foster believes Griffey should give up playing center field  —  MIAMISBURG |  Former Cincinnati Reds great George Foster is not pleased with some players on his former team or the team in general.  His critical comments were specifically aimed at Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. …

Grimsley fiasco could shake precious balance  —  Here they go again.  —  The tension between major-league players and owners, which had diminished in recent years, is again simmering over the Diamondbacks' handling of disgraced reliever Jason Grimsley.  —  Ken Kendrick, the Diamondbacks …

Under The Knife  —  The Mesa Grill  —  I was honored to learn yesterday that The Juice won an award from SABR.  To be mentioned in the same breath as the other books in the category and to be considered in the same league as some previous winners is, frankly, overwhelming.

2006 College Player Of The Year  —  Andrew Miller's 13-2, 2.11 season stands as a key reason for North Carolina's first College World Series berth since 1989.  But the junior lefthander would rather be known as one of many Tar Heels piled atop one another after Chad Flack's game-ending home run …

Billy saves best for former team  —  PHILADELPHIA - Billy Wagner insisted he felt no extra adrenaline rush from pitching in his former home for the first time.  —  The situation - the tying run at first base and playing in a homer-friendly park - provided enough juice.  —  "I've got 10 years in.