Mets' pitching coach has no comment on recent woes  —  PHOENIX - Mets manager Willie Randolph defended Rick Peterson and denied there was a gag order to prevent the pitching coach from talking with the media.  —  Beyond Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez being on the disabled list …

Ozzie curses blue streak before fifth straight loss  —  TORONTO — Five consecutive losses, something had to give.  —  It was manager Ozzie Guillen.  —  Tired of “all the managers in the press box and at home, watching the game on TV and spilling food on themselves,” …

Clemens apologizes for ‘mistakes,’ still denies drug use  —  Seven-time Cy Young winner admits flaws, says personal life has nothing to do with performance-enhancing drug allegations  —  In his first comments since a tabloid linked him to extramarital affairs last week …

Kennedy demoted; Igawa on horizon  —  Brian Cashman says Ian Kennedy is “turning the corner” and “going in the right direction.”  —  But Kennedy doesn't agree with the direction in which the general manager forced him to go yesterday.  It starts on the Major Deegan Expressway and ends in Moosic …

RHP Wells set to have surgery to remove clots  —  Right-hander Kip Wells is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to remove blood clots from his pitching hand.  Doctors also want to see what's causing the clots.  The Rockies are concerned because of Wells' history of circulation problems.

Francisco recalled in Tribe roster shake-up  —  Buffalo Bisons outfielder Ben Francisco is going back to the Cleveland Indians, and this time it might be for good.  —  Manager Eric Wedge promised changes Sunday after another weak showing by Tribe bats in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City in Progressive Field.

Church's throw helps Mets top Diamondbacks  —  PHOENIX - With the Mets' Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young winner, matched against Dan Haren, another of the Diamondbacks' elite starters, there was a good chance that one of those golden arms would decide yesterday's series finale at Chase Field.

Batting order doesn't matter much to Cody Ross  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Cody Ross joked last week he had plenty of experience leading off.  Not the game, but the third inning.  Sunday, he led off the third inning yet again, only this time it wasn't his initial at-bat.

And That Happened  —  Braves 14, Reds 7: Mrs. Shyster came into the living room yesterday afternoon and told me that I had to fix the shelves in the garage.  Her view: the screws holding the standards in the wall are hanging by a thread, and sooner or later 75 pounds of garage crap is going to fall onto her station wagon.

Piniella compares Soriano to Bobby Bonds  —  ST. LOUIS - ESPN analyst Joe Morgan asked manager Lou Piniella during Sunday night's telecast if he had contemplated moving Alfonso Soriano down in the order.  —  Piniella didn't chide Morgan but pointed out that he has been asked about it “for quite a while.”