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.

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 …

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 …

Rookie Nolasco faces off against O's  —  Florida (30-37) at Baltimore (32-40), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  Different opponent.  Same results.  —  After beating the Orioles, 6-2, on Tuesday, the Marlins matched their franchise winning streak of nine, now achieved three times.

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 …

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."

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.

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 …

Beattie says he told O's about Segui's HGH use  —  David Segui has told ESPN and The Baltimore Sun that he informed Orioles executive VP Jim Beattie that he took HGH by legal prescription in 2003 and 2004.  Beattie, now an Orioles consultant, told ESPN that Segui relayed to him only late in the 2004 season that he had been taking HGH.

Trachsel reflects on long ball  —  Right-hander hits first homer since 1998 in Tuesday's win  —  NEW YORK — The normal victory lap measures 360 feet, a lot of happy steps and, depending on the circumstances and the identity of the man making the rounds, perhaps a curtain call may follow.

Mets' Heilman makes adjustment  —  NEW YORK — Aaron Heilman said it's like getting a running start.  —  Such is his explanation of how he's addressing his mechanical problems by going to a full windup instead of pitching from the stretch.  —  "It sets things in motion," Heilman said yesterday.

State of the NBA Finals  —  Forget about who's winning the championship.  I'm starting to feel like the future of the NBA is at stake.  —  We just spent the past two months raving about the "New And Improved" NBA — end-to-end action, loads of points, dramatic endings …

A sense of relief for Francona  —  Bullpen gets job done this time  —  On a night when the manager introduced himself to the starting pitcher at 4 p.m., and when that pitcher entered the game with a 22.50 ERA, you need to have faith in your bullpen.  —  Last night, Terry Francona had no option …

Youngsters May Get Recalled  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels are looking at "some creative ways" to add offense, and among the in-house options being considered are the recall of triple-A infielder Howie Kendrick and outfielder Tommy Murphy.

Moises Alou to have MRI  —  Giants notebook  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Moises Alou missed his third game in a row because of a cranky lower back, and the ailment has the Giants medical staff concerned enough to schedule the veteran outfielder for an MRI exam today.