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.

Red Sox acquire designated Johnson from Indians  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox obtained pitcher Jason Johnson on Wednesday, a day after the right-hander was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians.  —  The Red Sox, beset by injuries to starting pitchers, gave up a player …

Notes: Confidence in bullpen  —  Francona expresses desire to give young relievers responsibility  —  BOSTON — As Craig Hansen stood in front of his locker in the Red Sox clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, he hoped this would be the last time he would have to answer questions about returning to the big-league roster.

Guillen crosses line with latest slur  —  Ozzie Guillen was wearing a White Sox uniform.  He was talking to a bunch of reporters, maybe 20 of them taking notes or holding tape recorders.  He was sitting in the White Sox' dugout.  —  And these are the words that came from the face …

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.

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 …

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 …

'It's like playing with fire' … Paxton Crawford was a top pitching prospect who went 5-1 in 15 games for the Red Sox in 2000 and 2001.  Then back problems — which he blames on steroid use — derailed the right-hander's career, which ended in the minors in 2005.

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 …

O's clubhouse wasn't alone in discussing amphetamines  —  While everybody waits for the remaining names in the Jason Grimsley affidavit to be revealed, the Orioles are trying to proceed as if they aren't all aware that the other shoe is going to land right in the middle of their clubhouse.

Wood could be done for the year  —  CLEVELAND — After running smack into another pitching wall Tuesday, Kerry Wood's future is more stalemated than ever.  No one is prepared to say when he will pitch again for the Cubs this season.  The possibility exists that he has pitched his final game in a Cubs uniform.

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."

Loud bat talks for quiet Beltran  —  Among Carlos Beltran's many pitfalls and problems during his trying first season in Queens - the midair collision with Mike Cameron comes first to mind - Beltran never felt at home.  That's because he literally never found a home.