Cards notebook: Ponson will start  —  Ponson will start  —  Sidney Ponson learned shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday that he will return to the starting rotation Sunday.  His rapid response was a bullpen session that left him soaked in perspiration but anticipating his approaching second chance.

Marlins rally late to dump O's in 10th  —  Pinch-hit homers by Borchard, Helms force extra innings  —  BALTIMORE — They may not yet be the "Miracle Marlins," but what this underdog team did Thursday night was downright miraculous.  —  One out away from defeat in the ninth inning …

The right way: You write it, you show up  —  Sometimes I get the feeling that what I do for a living is a complete mystery to people.  —  Mostly I get this feeling when readers tell me to stick to the facts and stop introducing opinion into my columns.  —  This is like telling Mike Ditka to stop with the red meat already.

A Legend's Uncertain Future  —  The past is the past, and no one's taking it away from Frank Robinson, least of all those in Baltimore, where he will arrive today to manage the 2,155th game of his major league career.  "I am attached to Baltimore," he said this week, "and I always will be."

RANGERS NOTES  —  Tejeda confident third time will be charm  —  ARLINGTON — When Robinson Tejeda starts for the Rangers on Saturday against the Rockies in Colorado, it will mark his third stint in the major leagues this year.  His two previous visits lasted only two outings, but Tejeda is confident this time will be different.

Baker's days appear numbered  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The clock is close to officially ticking down what a growing number of close observers now suspect will be the final weeks of Dusty Baker's tenure as Cubs manager.  —  It might be perceived more correctly as a time bomb.

Junior achievement: Staying on the field  —  Just before he left his Orlando home for the trek south to the Cincinnati Reds' spring training camp in Sarasota in February, Ken Griffey Jr.'s 10-year-old daughter Taryn called him aside to ask him a question.  —  "How many years have you been playing baseball, Daddy?" she asked.

Bank on Hank: Blalock keys Rangers' 5-3 win  —  ARLINGTON - Cleanup hitter Hank Blalock showed again in Thursday's 5-3 win over San Diego why his bat is critical in clutch situations.  But where exactly does his bat belong in the lineup?  —  Blalock went 2-for-4 and had the winning two-run double in the fifth inning.

Under The Knife  —  The Fight for Youth  —  I hope everyone will read UTK for the info you expect, then keep reading after Quick Cuts.  The extended piece is too long to put up top, but needs to be read by everyone, especially if you're involved in youth baseball.

Reyes and Wright Are Hitting, and Hitting Their Stride  —  It is entirely conceivable that in the last few hours, some organization has lavished another honor on David Wright or José Reyes, the Mets' talented 23-year-old infielders.  But at last check, these were their recent accomplishments:

A league of their own  —  Bats come alive vs. weaker NL  —  Among the statistical devices Red Sox management has at its disposal is a program that simulates a major league season.  One thing the Sox brass has done: place American League teams as presently composed in the National League and simulate a 162-game season.

Indians have GM Shapiro wondering  —  I warned Mark Shapiro the fastball was coming down the middle: What in the world is wrong with the Cleveland Indians?  —  Not the best way to start an interview about the collapse of one of baseball's highly regarded teams for 2006, but why beat around the bush?

Segui's road trips for hGH lack muscle of credibility  —  Idon't understand why everyone is so skeptical about David Segui and his explanation for using human growth hormone, though I have to admit that I was a little concerned when I found out they don't have any doctors in Kansas.