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.

Gagne Is Put on DL, Feels 'Helpless'  —  SAN DIEGO — With pain still flaring from a nerve in his right elbow, closer Eric Gagne will visit a neurologist today for a consultation that could include additional tests and result in new treatments.  —  The Dodgers put Gagne on the disabled list Tuesday and activated infielder Jeff Kent.

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.

Bartlett's back; Batista's out  —  The Twins gave their roster a jolt late Tuesday night, designating third baseman Tony Batista for assignment and promoting Jason Bartlett from Class AAA Rochester.  —  Bartlett will join the team tonight and replace Juan Castro as the team's starting shortstop.

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 …

Reliever Santana out for the season with elbow injury  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Julio Santana will miss the rest of the season because of a right elbow injury that will require ligament reconstruction surgery to repair.  —  Signed to a one-year contract last winter in the hopes that he would strengthen …

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.

Fogg sharp, bats hot as Rockies win  —  Barmes drives in three, Holliday adds two in victory  —  WASHINGTON — It was a game of slump-busting for the Rockies Tuesday night as they defeated the Nationals, 9-2, at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.  —  First, it was two individuals.

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 …