Bullpen Coach Wetteland Is Given the Boot  —  The Washington Nationals fired bullpen coach John Wetteland yesterday, a move made at the behest of Manager Frank Robinson, who said he could no longer put up with what he considered to be a long line of transgressions and insubordination that was affecting the chemistry of his relief corps.

Another Rookie Mistake by Milledge  —  PHILADELPHIA, June 15 — At the end of this feel-good trip, as the Mets exchanged hugs and high-fives, Manager Willie Randolph wrapped Lastings Milledge in a long headlock.  —  Randolph was having fun with Milledge, not punishing him.

Not a 'Character Guy,' Bradley Still a Character  —  OAKLAND — Milton Bradley playing on the same field here as the Raiders, now tell me that isn't apropos, and the easy cheap shot.  —  But then I've always liked Bradley, find him engaging and competitive and still maintain he could have become …

Same old scenario: Cubs lose  —  With Zambrano gone, Astros rally to complete sweep  —  Carlos Zambrano's arm was feeling heavy Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, while a crowd of 40,236 was feeling somewhat nauseated.  —  In a scene that has been replayed over and over this season …

Mets running away  —  End 9-1 trip ahead by 9 1/2  —  PHILADELPHIA - Omar Minaya drove down the New Jersey Turnpike for yesterday's crowning achievement on a historic road trip.  And after a 5-4 win that completed a sweep of the second-place Phillies, the Mets GM openly acknowledged …

Padres fire Magadan as hitting coach, hire Rettenmund  —  SAN DIEGO - With the worst team batting average in the NL and the third-fewest homers in the majors, the San Diego Padres fired Dave Magadan as hitting coach on Thursday and replaced him with the popular Merv Rettenmund.

Shaky Angels Pull Out a Win  —  They come back to edge the Royals, 3-2, in 10 innings, but problems, especially on defense, continue to mount.  —  The impending rotation decision — should Jered Weaver stay or should he go? — has been the hot topic this week, but the Angels have far …

Ross homers a day after being hit in jaw with pitch  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Outfielder Cody Ross was back in the starting lineup Thursday — and homered in his first at-bat — one day after getting hit in the jaw with a fastball.  —  Ross' jaw still was sore and his lower lip was swollen …

Big names not likely to get traded … Two weeks left until July.  And you know what that means.  —  Rumorfest 2006 is about to erupt, any minute now.  —  So we want you to be ready.  We want you to be educated.  We want you to know the truth about all those names you've been hearing and reading and fantasizing about.

White Sox fire back with Buehrle, not beanballs  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Mark Buehrle was the most effective form of retaliation Thursday night against Texas.  —  Buehrle limited the Rangers to six hits in eight innings of an 8-2 victory that helped the White Sox restore peace after Wednesday night's debacle.

Under The Knife  —  Two Questions  —  I constantly get asked if I want a job in baseball.  (Seldom does someone in baseball ask it, you'll note.)  I say I have the best job in the world and remind people that I'm the least qualified person I know.  Sure, I dream like every …

He Was a Good Guy.  Loved His Red Sox.  —  My dad passed away Tuesday morning.  And I couldn't be happier.  —  Understand: I mean no disrespect.  I loved my dad like you read about.  But his passing — on the heels of a number of days of waiting around a cold hospital room — came as great relief.

From dark days, a whole new ballgame  —  PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Floyd remembers when there was no light at the end of the tunnel.  So do Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel.  Which makes what is happening with the Mets this season that much sweeter for the longest-tenured members on the club.

Floyd: Nothing like winning in New York  —  There's still a lot of baseball left, but there is no feeling like winning in New York.  Our fans here have been unbelievable and I look forward to giving them something to cheer about this season.  —  It's been hard for Mets fans in recent years, certainly since I joined the team in 2003.

RANGERS NOTES  —  Guillen likes Young as All-Star  —  ARLINGTON - Derek Jeter is a virtual lock to start at shortstop in the All-Star Game for the American League as the league's top vote-getter at any position.  Should Miguel Tejada finish ahead of Michael Young in the player vote …