Cold homecoming: Willis extends winless streak to eight starts  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Dontrelle Willis, arguably the most popular player to wear a Marlins uniform, exited in the fourth inning Friday night to an unfamiliar sound in his 41/2 seasons in Florida: A smattering of boos from 11,438 at Dolphin Stadium.

Moves by Mets reek with panic  —  If a blink can make a sound, that sound you heard Thursday was the Mets blinking.  A first-place team fired its hitting coach and added to its staff one of the biggest Me-Firsters in the long history of baseball.  A first-place team sought to quiet …

Red Sox still warm for A-Rod  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Yankees' loss could be the Red Sox's gain this fall if Alex Rodriguez decides to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.  —  The Bombers have told A-Rod and his agent, Scott Boras, that they have no plans to become part …

DESALVO TO GET ANOTHER SHOT  —  It looks like Matt DeSalvo is going to get another chance to prove to the Yankees he has what it takes to be a big league pitcher.  —  With the Yankees needing an additional starter for one of next Saturday's two games against the Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium, it appears DeSalvo is going to get the nod.

Pods puts himself on mislabeled list  —  BALTIMORE — Scott Podsednik is hoping to be off the 15-day disabled list and back in the starting lineup by next week in Cleveland.  —  The way the White Sox' leadoff hitter sees it, he then will have about 10 weeks to try and prove manager Ozzie Guillen wrong …

Notes: Wilkerson's role now uncertain  —  With Teixeira coming off the DL, spot may be filled  —  ANAHEIM — Brad Wilkerson, a big part of the Rangers strong finish to the first half, was out of the lineup on Friday with the return of Mark Teixeira off the disabled list.

Hendry confident 'Z' deal can get done  —  When Tribune Co. put up the for sale sign on the Cubs and reportedly clamped down on any new contract for Carlos Zambrano at the end of spring training, it left the financial doings of one of baseball's highest-salaried teams in question.

Bernie mess may haunt  —  ST. PETERSBURG - When the Yankees decided not to include Bernie Williams in their 2007 plans, they had no idea it could have a greater impact on the club down the road.  —  But that might be the case, according to a baseball source, as several members …

Sheffield: Torre unfair to black players  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield had an idyllic view of the New York Yankees when he joined the team before the 2004 season.  —  Sheffield also had a strong friendship and trust with Barry Bonds when he went to California and to train with the slugger one offseason.

WIN OR TRADE WINDS  —  If this weekend's series with the Dodgers doesn't go well, get ready for a fire sale  —  How convenient for the Giants that three nights after they hosted a fantabulous All-Star Game, their World Series begins.  —  This Series is a three-gamer against the Los Angeles Dodgers …

Punishment goes on for Wells, Cards  —  PHILADELPHIA — Kip Wells' career-long dominance of the Philadelphia Phillies crashed headlong into his season-long frustration Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.  —  This time frustration won.  —  Wasting no time reminding the defending World Series champs …

Notes: Ledezma placed on restricted list  —  Lefty's return to U.S. delayed due to damaged visa  —  ATLANTA — Braves general manager John Schuerholz had no problem with Wil Ledezma heading back to his native Venezuela during the All-Star break.  But he would have liked for the left-handed reliever …

Notes: Lewis added to Tribe bullpen  —  Move from starter to relief role accelerates development  —  CLEVELAND — The summons Jensen Lewis had dreamed of receiving since he was a little boy growing up in suburban Cleveland came late Thursday night at a restaurant in Durham, N.C.

Ichiro signs five-year deal with Mariners  —  Contract will keep All-Star center fielder in Seattle through 2012  —  SEATTLE — Everyone seemed to want Ichiro.  In the end, Ichiro wanted Seattle.  —  Mariners center fielder Ichiro Suzuki signed a five-year contract extension Friday …