Calf injury could keep El Duque from Game 1 start  —  NEW YORK — Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too.  —  El Duque felt discomfort in his right calf while he was jogging …

As expected, Marlins fire Girardi after one year  —  MIAMI — Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi was fired Tuesday, a move that had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago.  —  Girardi lost his job even though he's considered …

Jackson, Wallace Won't Return  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox said Monday the contracts of hitting coach Ron Jackson and pitching coach Dave Wallace will not be renewed for next season as part of a mutual agreement between the team and the two coaches.  —  It shouldn't take long for the Red Sox to name their successors.

Beimel's status in jeopardy  —  Left-handed reliever injured in freak accident in hotel room  —  NEW YORK — Reliever Joe Beimel suffered a bloody gash to his pitching hand in a freak hotel accident Tuesday morning, leaving him in stitches and the Dodgers bullpen roster spots in limbo …

Three coaches won't return to Phils  —  Bombard, Dancy and Varsho relieved of duties  —  PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel will return to manage the Phillies in 2007, but he'll be searching for three new coaches.  —  "[Manuel will] be back for 2007," general manager Pat Gillick said when reached by phone on Tuesday night.

Former Phils organist Richardson dies  —  Fixture's passing comes after 35-year tenure with club  —  PHILADELPHIA — To the 73 million who passed through Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park since 1970, he was known as the guy behind the organ.

Yanks' Rodriguez Is Dropped to the Sixth Spot  —  As Alex Rodriguez embarks on another postseason tonight, he will hit sixth in the Yankees' lineup, the lowest spot he has hit from in more than 10 years.  —  Manager Joe Torre said he could not go wrong arranging so many powerful hitters in any order.

BALCO chemist subpoenaed  —  Steroid creator Arnold to appear before grand jury  —  Patrick Arnold, the Illinois chemist who created the designer steroid at the center of the BALCO scandal, has been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury investigating San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, a source close to Arnold told SI.com.

Second course  —  Apple back on track for another Subway ride  —  The last sounds before pandemonium were a hard pock of wood on leather, half a stadium gasping, the other half screaming, and then the faint pop of white leather falling into black leather.  —  Mike Piazza's swat in Game 5 …

Chopped liver  —  In 1999, Voros McCracken discovered what has come to be known as the "DIPS" theory - that pitchers have only a small influence on whether a ball in play becomes a hit.  Since then, and in the standard fashion of scientific enquiry, there have been frequent studies testing McCracken's hypothesis.

International man of mystery  —  Wang's unique style draws share of critics, doubters  —  The $200 million Bronx Bombers won more games than any other team in the American League this year despite key injuries to Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano.