Bombers cut Small, Beam up rook  —  WASHINGTON - Aaron Small appeared from nowhere last summer to help save the Yankees' season.  Yesterday, he quietly faded away.  —  With Kyle Farnsworth likely sidelined for at least the weekend with back spasms, the Yanks needed to strengthen …

Questions About Colon Key in Weaver Move  —  For a significant clue as to how Bartolo Colon is faring today, check the Angel Stadium radar gun — if you can.  —  In his lone home start this season, the radar gun readings were not displayed on the scoreboard — at Colon's request, according to Angels spokesman Tim Mead.

Rally Nats  —  Washington overcomes 7-run deficit to stun Yankees  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — It's hard to think of a more demoralizing scenario.  The Washington Nationals, losers of five straight, were down seven runs to the New York Yankees, whose fans had turned RFK Stadium into a home-away-from-home.

Kris homers & Anna rants  —  It couldn't have been a better return to Shea for Kris Benson if his wife had scripted it herself.  And saucy Anna Benson, part of the reason her husband was shipped out of town last winter, relished it while watching from behind home plate before launching into one of her trademark rants.

Like father, like son  —  Mets and Yanks who folowed their dads to the majors  —  After every game, when Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano gets back to his New Jersey apartment or his hotel room, his cell phone rings.  —  It's his father, Jose, a former pro pitcher who is calling with advice.

Ex-MLB'er Segui says he's player in FBI affidavit … David Segui, a 15-year major league baseball player who last was on an MLB roster in 2004, says he's one of the players whose names were redacted in the IRS affidavit that said Jason Grimsley received two kits of human growth hormone on April 19.

Mauer, Twins' calculated risk, pays off  —  Maybe it was uncommon insight.  Maybe guts.  Maybe both.  —  Whatever the case, it worked, demonstrating once again that the best organizations in baseball are confident enough to chance screwing up.  —  Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan …

Taint by numbers  —  Juice doesn't spoil all marks  —  With new, disheartening details about drug use in baseball being revealed on an all too regular basis, they cast a harsh light on the statistical achievements and records of the last decade or so.  —  Certainly, all home run totals must …

Phillips playing with different kind of pain  —  WASHINGTON — Andy Phillips couldn't stop tearing up no matter how hard he tried.  His eyes stayed wet throughout a game in April as he questioned his priorities.  —  Phillips had to be home with his sick wife, he kept thinking.

M's in Bonds' future?  Slugger mum  —  SEATTLE (AP) — It took less than a day for slowing superstar Barry Bonds to field the inevitable question, a tantalizing one that has been bouncing around baseball for months.  —  Has he thought about moving to the AL and becoming a designated hitter next season …

Ponson is sent to bullpen  —  The Cardinals have notified pitcher Sidney Ponson of at least his temporary assignment to the bullpen while they contemplate promoting Anthony Reyes from Class AAA Memphis to make Thursday's start against the Chicago White Sox.  —  Pitching coach Dave Duncan …

Scully's Stepdad Was Simply 'Dad'  —  Dodgers broadcaster ached to know his real father, but that was soothed by his stepdad.  —  Dad was working late as usual, finishing up a 14-hour shift at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  Vin Scully had finished his homework and was getting sleepy.

Notes: LaRoche suffers setback  —  Third base prospect undergoes MRI after tear in right shoulder  —  OAKLAND — Dodgers third base prospect Andy LaRoche's arrival to the Major Leagues has been delayed because of a slight labrum tear in his throwing shoulder, suffered on Thursday night …