Practice Helps Nady Find His Timing, and It's Right on Time  —  Xavier Nady returned to the Mets' lineup Monday, but he went hitless in four at-bats.  Nady said that his timing was off, the result of not playing in the majors since the end of May.  He pledged to spend some extra time in the batting cage to sharpen his swing.

Teixeira says call by umpire not fair  —  ARLINGTON — Mark Teixeira already had his arms raised to celebrate his walkoff home run.  He had hit the pitch off Padres closer Trevor Hoffman so hard and so high and so far that the ball soared over the top of the right-field foul pole.

Rangers' Francisco could return by end of June  —  ARLINGTON - Right-hander Frank Francisco was in the Rangers' bullpen Tuesday.  He could be on the roster by the end of the month.  —  In a move designed to make Francisco available to the Rangers earlier than planned …

No Relief From the Nationals' Starter  —  Hernandez Lasts Only 12/3 Innings: Red Sox 11, Nationals 3  —  BOSTON, June 20 — Here were the two guys to defy any obsession with radar guns, who respond to urges for harder and faster with softer and slower.  Tim Wakefield took the mound Tuesday night …

White Sox Collect 24 Hits and 20 Runs in Rout of Cardinals  —  Joe Crede and A. J. Pierzynski homered during an 11-run, 12-hit third inning last night and the Chicago White Sox used their biggest scoring output in a decade to rout visiting St. Louis, 20-6.  —  Pierzynski and Paul Konerko each drove …

Cabrera, Out of the Starting Lineup, Still Pinch-Hits and Delivers  —  PHILADELPHIA, June 20 — His priority is pitching, but Brian Cashman knows the Yankees have other needs, too.  With Melky Cabrera out of the lineup on Tuesday and Bernie Williams playing more than they expected, their outfield needs are showing.

Yanks' eye on Jacque  —  PHILADELPHIA - It's no secret the Yankees have several glaring needs, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to fill them on the trade market.  —  One source said GM Brian Cashman is running into the same wall on almost every call he makes …

If it's 'best for team,' Smoltz says he's open to trade talk  —  ATLANTA — John Smoltz said he's ready to leave Atlanta if a trade can help the last-place Braves.  —  The 17-year veteran, who's played his entire career in Atlanta, said his once-firm opinion against leaving the Braves changed this year.

When Cora's time comes, he makes most of it  —  It's a given that Alex Cora will do the little things every time he steps on the field.  But lately he's been doing the big things, too.  —  Last night that meant going 3-for-3 with a walk, steal, RBI and three runs scored in the Red Sox' 11-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Lee takes BP, eyes weekend return  —  CLEVELAND — First baseman Derrek Lee might make his return to the Cubs' starting lineup this weekend in Minnesota.  —  He wasn't quite ready to predict an exact date for his comeback, but he made it clear he is leaning toward returning this weekend …

Charles likes Gnarls  —  CHARLES BARKLEY says he's "flattered and honored" to be the namesake of Gnarls Barkley, the hip-hop/rock duo comprising Danger Mouseand Cee-Lo.  —  The Round Mound of Rebound says he has their CD "St. Elsewhere," and "it's pretty good, an interesting mix of rock and rap."

Lo Duca uneasy as Star  —  Slumps, but tops vote  —  Paul Lo Duca never has been voted a starter to the NL All-Star team, and he isn't sure that 2006 should be his first time.  —  The Mets' catcher, who has been named as a reserve in each of the last three midsummer classics …

Boo hoo Sox fans: Renteria heard you last year  —  ATLANTA - Sitting at his locker in workout clothes prior to last night's game, a wad of smokeless tobacco clenched between his teeth, Edgar Renteria finally fessed up.  —  You got to him.  —  That's right, Red Sox fans.

Where are all the Rangers fans?  —  I'm going to take my annual turn at asking the questions for two reasons.  One, I've got a brain freeze from sipping my once-a-year slurpee.  Two, I'm really looking for some answers.  —  Why is there little buzz among fans about this Rangers team?