Garciaparra has torn quadriceps  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra has a tear in his left quadriceps and won't be in the lineup for Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday when Los Angeles tries to avoid getting swept by the New York Mets.

Suppan wants bubbly bath  —  When the cornerstones of the Cardinals' pitching staff began their champagne-popping run of three consecutive division titles, righthander Jeff Suppan displayed a knack for handling the bubbly.  —  He packed goggles.  —  Suppan had seen a few celebrations …

Former Negro Leaguer O'Neil dies  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Buck O'Neil, baseball's charismatic Negro Leagues ambassador who barnstormed with Satchel Paige and inexplicably fell one vote shy of the Hall of Fame, died Friday night.  He was 94.  —  Bob Kendrick, marketing director …

"Mr. Clutch" comes through again for A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Although Marco Scutaro is far from famous outside the Coliseum, the fans inside were screaming his name when the Oakland Athletics wrapped up their first playoff series victory in 16 years.

A-Rod & Yanks just looking  —  Series swings as Tigers strike  —  The last pitch whizzed by Alex Rodriguez at 101 mph, his swing a futile hack.  As the boos began to tumble down from above, Rodriguez leaned over and said a few words to home plate umpire Laz Diaz before trudging slowly out toward third base.

Former Reds exec Wagner passes  —  Big Red Machine architect served as GM and club president  —  CINCINNATI — Former Reds executive Dick Wagner, who played a part in the building and dismantling of the championship "Big Red Machine" clubs, died at the age of 78.

Walk this way  —  Ever-patient Boggs looks back on birth of a dynasty … SI.com: In Sports Illustrated's 1986 Baseball Preview Issue, you sat down for a lengthy chat with Don Mattingly and Ted Williams.  Do you have any memories of the conversation you had that day?  —  Wade Boggs: Every bit of it.

'These Guys' Are Nearly as Good as Those Guys  —  Although they didn't demonstrate it yesterday in their 4-3 loss to Detroit, the Yankees have an awesome offense.  Bobby Cox, the venerable Atlanta manager, who does not engage in hyperbole, has called the Yankees' lineup the best in baseball history.

Pedro's surgery called success  —  Omar Minaya labeled Pedro Martinez's surgery yesterday to repair a torn rotator cuff a success.  The GM predicted the Mets' ace would be ready to return to the rotation during the second half of the 2007 season.  —  "Everything went well," Minaya said.

Brewers pick up Cordero's '07 option  —  Right-hander will be Milwaukee's closer next season  —  Unable to count on Derrick Turnbow in the closer role after the All-Star break, the Brewers will pay Francisco Cordero a reported $5.4 million to be the club's closer next season.

Time for Hendry to take off kid gloves  —  Cubs' GM must stop being Mr. Nice Guy if he's serious about rebuilding, writes Phil Rogers  —  Hey, look there.  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers badly overpaid to sign shortstop Rafael Furcal last winter, but the shame didn't seem to affect them too badly.