Team's rap is no better than kid's  —  Cliff Floyd, in the role of mentor, sat down with Lastings Milledge last season and tried to explain to the kid that the Mets are no place to strut your nonsense.  —  "I told him, 'When the career's over, your friends will still be there,'" Floyd said last night at Shea.

Times are tough — is team, too?  —  Josh Beckett will miss tomorrow's start, plus who knows how many more.  J.D. Drew would have been out of the lineup last night after losing a Tuesday night duel with the fence in right-center.  No longer is it a perfect little Red Sox world.

Sosa, Mets outlast rain, Cubs in 8-1 win  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A three hour-plus rain delay couldn't dampen Jorge Sosa's stellar night.  —  Sosa pitched seven-plus innings of one-hit ball, David Wright had two RBIs and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Wednesday night …

Bad news keeps coming for Twins  —  Club learns Crain likely out for season after another loss  —  CLEVELAND — The bad news seems to be piling on the Twins lately.  —  It just wasn't enough to pick up another loss to an American League Central opponent on Wednesday night.

Mets place Alou on DL, recall Vargas  —  Callup scheduled to start Thursday's finale against Cubs  —  NEW YORK — The Mets made their anticipated roster move early Thursday morning, placing injured outfielder Moises Alou on the 15-day disabled list and recalling left-hander Jason Vargas …

Hamels perfect through 6 as Phillies win  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels came up short in his bid for a perfect game, but Philadelphia completed its season-long climb to .500.  —  Hamels retired his first 18 batters and used one of baseball's best changeups to strike out 11 in his 32nd career start …

Church, Bullpen Are Nats' Saviors  —  Washington Takes 5th Win in 6 Games: Nationals 6, Braves 4  —  The Washington Nationals have been sending starting pitchers to the disabled list with disturbing regularity.  Opportunistic hitting and an unflappable bullpen, however, have provided the remedy.

Former closer Percival thinking about return  —  Troy Percival is considering a comeback.  —  The four-time All-Star closer, who retired as an Angel on Opening Day, resumed throwing about a month ago and is serious about reviving his major-league career, according to his agent, Paul Cohen.

Ramirez to try hitting third  —  PITTSBURGH — Hanley Ramirez leads the majors with a .343 batting average from the leadoff spot, but he won't bat there for a while.  —  After helping spark a 9-3 victory Tuesday, Ramirez was back in the third spot Wednesday for the second straight game.

Burnett's gem leads Jays to sweep  —  Right-hander throws a complete-game three-hitter  —  TORONTO — There are plenty of times when A.J. Burnett turns into a big kid inside Toronto's clubhouse.  He was at it again on Tuesday, running around the room with a toy gun and seeking out various targets for a stream of foam darts.

Scioscia is sticking with Hillenbrand  —  The Angels' manager is confident his designated hitter will break out of season slump.  —  SEATTLE — The Angels make a considerable financial commitment to a veteran with a good track record, the player remains in a deep offensive funk well into the season …

Betemit rocks Wells, Redbirds  —  LOS ANGELES — A vigil for something good to happen was held in the Cardinals' dugout Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.  —  Wanting — perhaps even needing — Kip Wells to earn his second win of a downcast season, manager Tony La Russa allowed his starting pitcher …

Mussina suffers setback in Game 1  —  Starter allows five runs over 5 1/3; Abreu, Phelps homer  —  CHICAGO — The walk from the visiting bullpen to the dugout at U.S. Cellular Field is only about 350 feet, but it must have felt much longer for Mike Mussina.

Pirates Notebook: Marlins also put pressure on Armas  —  One would think Tony Armas has enough pressure on him tonight — as in "Pitch at least decently or look for a seat in the bullpen."  —  But there could be another layer of stress on the right-hander as he enters his start against Florida tonight.

Braves sale is approved  —  Liberty Media taking control of franchise from Time Warner  —  NEW YORK — The sale of the Atlanta Braves from Time Warner to Liberty Media was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball's owners at a special meeting on Wednesday.

Braun close to returning for Sounds  —  Third base prospect has wrist tendinitis  —  Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Ryan Braun, who has been "day to day" for nearly two weeks with wrist tendinitis, is close to returning to Class AAA Nashville's lineup, farm director Reid Nichols said Wednesday.