Wetteland let go as bullpen coach  —  Former closer had disagreements with manager Robinson  —  WASHINGTON — After Thursday's loss to the Rockies, the Nationals dismissed bullpen coach John Wetteland because of philosophical differences with manager Frank Robinson.

Ross' return sparks Marlins  —  Outfielder homers following scare; Fish win fifth straight  —  MIAMI — If the youthful Marlins have shown anything this season, it's the ability to bounce back.  —  Cody Ross certainly rebounded from a scary moment and became another Florida hero.

Rodriguez, It Would Seem, Gets Worst of Yanks' Tough Day  —  There were many reasons for the Yankees' 8-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians yesterday on a splendid afternoon at Yankee Stadium.  —  They included a sub-par performance by starter Mike Mussina (8-3), a base-running mistake by Derek Jeter …

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.

Moore making his mark  —  Royals' new GM has taken low-key approach to reshaping team.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. |  - ANAHEIM, Calif. |  It's been a week now since Dayton Moore took control as general manager of the Royals at that infamously contentious news conference at Kauffman Stadium.

Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds  —  Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins traded infielder Juan Castro back to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for minor league outfielder Brandon Roberts.  —  Castro was batting .231 with five doubles …

Wakefield will try to salvage finale  —  Boston (36-27) at Minnesota (30-34), 8:10 p.m. ET  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Red Sox manager Terry Francona is hoping Tim Wakefield, or any of his starters for that matter, can give him quality starts on a regular basis.  —  With Keith Foulke on the 15 …

Mathieson set to make leap to majors  —  Scott Mathieson knew something was up when he saw he'd missed two calls after he returned from his morning workout at the gym across the street from his hotel in Erie, Pa., on Tuesday.  When John Morris and Tom Filer, coaches at Double A Reading …

Report: Rookie to be demoted for missing Blalock  —  White Sox rookie pitcher Sean Tracey got into hot water with his manager Ozzie Guillen — for getting an out.  —  Tracey was summoned to start the seventh inning and got Hank Blalock to ground out, but getting an out might not have been the reason Tracey was brought into the game.

Magadan relieved of duties as hitting coach  —  With a batting average that ranks 12th in the 16-team National League, a team slugging average that's dead last and not one regular player hitting above .300, the Padres have been a disappointment offensively, referred to often as the Popgun Padres

Yankees' Last Trip to R.F.K. Ended With Fan Rampage  —  Last day of the 1971 season.  Top of the ninth, the Yankees down, 7-5, to the Senators.  Final game ever for the Senators in Washington, before they skedaddled to Arlington, Tex.  —  Robert F. Kennedy Stadium was the site of a peculiar wake …

Full circle  —  Back in Miami, Marlins' Alfredo Amezaga is a long way from having one meal a day at Taco Bell  —  Phone calls home to Mexico of any prolonged duration were beyond Alfredo Amezaga's financial means.  So for two years he spoke to family in staccato.

Billingsley solid in debut as LA wins  —  Dodgers break through in seventh to salvage finale  —  SAN DIEGO — If it didn't match the drama and degree of difficulty of Edwin Jackson's winning birthday debut against Randy Johnson three years ago, Chad Billingsley came a close second Thursday based on clubhouse reviews.

Home Runs In A Minor Key  —  Ernie Young entered the season as the minor league home run leader, and when he connected with a Brian Slocum fastball in Charlotte Monday night for his 300th, he became that club's only active member.  —  Young, 36, had learned just this spring that the career mark is 484 …