Ramírez unloads on Yankees again  —  NEW YORK - Had enough of the Yankees, having seen them five times in the last seven days?  —  The sentiment is understandable, unless you're Manny Ramírez, who has reason to mourn because he won't see the Bombers again until Fourth of July weekend.

Padres fall short in epic battle  —  Troy Tulowitzki doubled home Willy Taveras with an unearned run in the top of the 22nd this morning to give the Colorado Rockies a 2-1 victory over the Padres in the longest game in Padres history.  —  The Rockies had two out and no one on in the 22nd …

Samson: Forbes way off base  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Forbes released its annual state of baseball report Thursday, drawing little more than a chuckle in Marlins offices.  —  According to the magazine's numbers, the Marlins are the least valuable, but second- most profitable franchise in Major League Baseball.

Fraternization makes Mets' Randolph hostile  —  This week's visit to Shea by the Nationals, a team managed by former Mets coach Manny Acta, again featured the kind of affection usually reserved for family reunions.  Hugs, handshakes, plenty of laughs.  —  Acta is a great guy, and still well liked in Mets circles.

A-ROD LEAVES ABREU HANGING  —  Because every move he makes is under a huge spotlight, Alex Rodriguez was asked last night why he doesn't shake hands, exchange fist knuckles or acknowledge Bobby Abreu when Abreu homers in front of him.  —  As Abreu approaches the plate Rodriguez is off …

Beltran's injury really is a pain in neck  —  Carlos Beltran didn't start Thursday night's series finale against Washington because of a stiff neck.  The discomfort particularly bothered Beltran when he looked over his left shoulder, which the switch-hitter would have been required …

Detractors having a field day with Lugo  —  NEW YORK - Shortstops have come and gone in Boston.  Mostly gone.  —  From John Valentin to Nomar Garciaparra to Orlando Cabrera to Edgar Renteria to Alex Gonzalez to Julio Lugo - whether Boston devours them, who really knows?

Marty Brennaman: Cubs Fans Are the Most Obnoxious in Major League Baseball  —  Everyone hates their rivals.  It's understandable.  It's a natural byproduct of cheering for your own team; if you stand in the way of my team's success, and you do so on a regular basis, I'm probably going to hate you.

Figueroa's Fan Club Moves With His Pitches  —  Apparently, the seats in luxury suite No. 44 at Shea Stadium are just a suggestion.  —  Through each of Nelson Figueroa's 101 pitches in his second start for the Mets on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals, 14 of his family members squeezed …

Intent?  —  You just cannot throw a ball BEHIND someone when you are trying to throw a strike, or even a ball in.  A stray breaking ball sure, but that's even rare to impossible.  A ball sailing behind a hitter, one that's hit 2 bombs, is a ball being thrown at a guy.