Dodgers 5, Mets 1: Pérez Absorbs Hits, Including One Off His Stomach  —  LOS ANGELES — If Mets Manager Willie Randolph was eager to see what type of performance he would get from Oliver Pérez on Monday night, let's say it wasn't a good night for gut checks.

THE QUIET CAPTAIN  —  Derek Jeter will pass Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth on the all-time Yankees hit list in the final year of Yankee Stadium.  When the palace across the street debuts next season, Jeter will move past Lou Gehrig and become the all-time pinstriped hit leader.

A move to honor the life of Matthew Beaudoin, late Red Sox fan  —  A lot of joking goes on around here about the New York Yankees, but the reality is, I've got plenty of friends that root for the pinstripes.  And unless you live deep in South Boston or take baseball way too seriously, I'm betting you do, too.

Fogg could make Colorado comeback  —  While they wait for internal options to heal their wounds and fix their mechanics, the Rockies are actively pursuing depth for their rotation, discussing trades with the Reds for Josh Fogg and the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez.

Schilling ready for a toss  —  Team's program was right, he says  —  DETROIT - It is a character trait Curt Schilling has displayed on other occasions over the course of his life, and yesterday he did it again.  —  He admitted he was wrong.  —  The Red Sox medical staff, he said …

Rocket that's crashed and burned  —  Roger Clemens told the Houston Chronicle he's apologized to his family for “mistakes” in his personal life, but denied allegations of steorid use and of an affair with country singer Mindy McCready.  (Getty Images Photo)

Griffey's days in Cincinnati may be numbered  —  Ken Griffey Jr., playfully yelling moments earlier from his corner of the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse, suddenly is talking in almost a whisper before a game last weekend in Atlanta.  —  It is flat and unemotional, reflecting no remorse or bitterness …

Worth the wait: Inside the McLouth breakout  —  Gifted with patience at the plate and all through his career, the Pirates' ‘Mighty Mouse’ is baseball's most productive center fielder  —  WASHINGTON — Remember those fat, orange bats from childhood?  —  Nate McLouth had one at age 4 and …

Ex-Tiger Morris plays doctor  —  Twins broadcaster thinks there's a shoulder issue with Verlander, who denies the claim.  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Former Tiger Jack Morris broadcasts 45 games on the radio for the Twins and still is an outspoken observer of the game — especially when it comes to pitching.

Yankees fans can learn from history book  —  I'm beginning to wonder something out loud: What the hell is wrong with everybody's memory around here?  Do you forget what happens almost every year at this time?  To make it easy for you, I'll do that period-after-every-word thing people …

Weak attendance could be a National emergency  —  WASHINGTON - Stan Kasten's two families converged this week.  Down south, his daughter graduated from the University of Florida.  And here, where he's president of the Washington Nationals, his baby turned a month old.

Wise decision for Mets looming over bullpen  —  LOS ANGELES - With reliever Matt Wise slated to return from the disabled list as soon as Friday, the Mets will debate three potential moves to clear room.  —  The cleanest is to demote Joe Smith, who can be sent to Triple-A New Orleans without being exposed to waivers.

An Interview with Buzz Bissinger  —  Award-winning author Buzz Bissinger voiced his displeasure about blogs on last week's Bob Costas HBO special.  In a contrite and fairly candid interview with us, he sums up his television performance thusly: “I am a man of passion, and my passion got the better of me.”

The Oakland Offense  —  The Oakland Athletics rank fourth in the American League in runs per game with a 4.74 mark.  Their 2-1 win over the Orioles last night, however, both demonstrates the strengths and glaring weakness of this team.  They picked up eight hits, four walks, and no extra base hits.