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 …

Guillen goes [bleeping] wild over fickle Sox fans  —  If this was the pregame interview, what could Ozzie Guillen possibly have said after the Chicago White Sox lost again Sunday?  —  Guillen unleashed his verbal wrath before the White Sox faced the Blue Jays in Toronto …

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.

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 …

Atlanta acquires infielder Greg Norton from Seattle  —  Infielder Martin Prado placed on 15-day disabled list  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners made a trade today, as Atlanta has acquired switch-hitting infielder Greg Norton in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

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.

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.

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.

Pirates Notebook: Pirates, Rays discuss Meek trade  —  WASHINGTON — The Pirates are not necessarily through with reliever Evan Meek.  —  Although there are plenty of unusual circumstances related to Rule 5 draft picks, there is a palpable feeling among management that he could remain in the system, provided a few elements play out.

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.