Steinbrenner: Yanks down but not out  —  Co-chairman unhappy with play but optimistic for turnaround  —  NEW YORK — Hank Steinbrenner said Wednesday that he is “very down” about his team's 20-25 start, but the Yankees' co-chairman remains confident that he is still presiding over a playoff-caliber club.

Recap: Willie Randolph on WFAN  —  During his interview a few moments ago on WFAN, Willie Randolph told the show's host that many of his comments from the infamous Bergen Record article by Ian O'Conner were intended to be off the record, adding, “But, that's my fault..,I thought I was just blowing off steam.”

Wang: Mild calf strain won't keep him out  —  Yankees right-hander expects to make next start Saturday  —  NEW YORK — The afterglow of Alex Rodriguez's return on Tuesday lasted only three innings, just time enough for the Yankees to see another superstar, Derek Jeter, go down with an injury.

Willis headed to Tigers' bullpen  —  Left-hander activated from DL, available Wednesday  —  DETROIT — Dontrelle Willis is rejoining the Tigers, but he's doing so in the bullpen.  —  The Tigers activated the left-hander from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but manager Jim Leyland announced …

Sheets beats Pirates with 11-hitter  —  PITTSBURGH (AP)—Ben Sheets limited Pittsburgh to one run despite allowing 11 hits in his second complete game of the season, and Rickie Weeks homered and scored twice to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-1 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night.

Leyland divided on Stanley Cup finals  —  Tigers' manager has reasons to root for both teams  —  DETROIT — Tigers manager Jim Leyland has quite a conflict of interest awaiting him as the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup finals begin this weekend not far from here at Joe Louis Arena.

Eveland, Cust lead A's past Rays 9-1  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—From about the time he started driving, Dana Eveland began hearing the comparisons to David Wells.  —  “If you're a chubby lefty it always gets you the comparison,” said Eveland, whose back is covered in an “EVELAND” tattoo.

Fan seriously injured by fall at Turner Field  —  A Braves fan has serious head injuries after falling from the stands at Turner Field, police said.  —  The 25-year-old man, who wasn't immediately identified, fell an estimated four levels inside the stadium to field level …

Colon wins in return, Red Sox top Royals  —  BOSTON (AP)—After 306 starts, 146 wins and one Cy Young award, Bartolo Colon felt like a rookie before his 2008 debut.  —  The beefy right-hander turns 35 on Saturday but when he took the mound Wednesday night he had the nerves of a neophyte.

“Terry Crowley is lucky he's in f*cking baseball” makes it on the air on YES  —  UPDATE (9:34 PM): Minor correction.  This is still bad for YES, but it was not a producer, or anyone on the YES crew, apparently.  It was Earl Weaver in the famous manager's corner clip as an anonymous commenter pointed out.

Pedro leaves Mets to be with ill father  —  Pitcher was to throw bullpen session on Wednesday  —  ATLANTA — Pedro Martinez's return to pitching in the big leagues has been delayed by a medical episode involving his father.  —  The Mets pitcher, close to ending his assignment on the disabled list …

Phillies hit 4 home runs in win over Nationals  —  WASHINGTON - Pedro Feliz's home run landed in the left field bullpen.  Shane Victorino put one just inside the left foul pole.  Ryan Howard didn't play around at all, launching shots into both decks in right-center.

Astros' Chacon gets decision, beats Cubs  —  HOUSTON (AP)—Decisions, decisions—or rather, finally just one.  —  Shawn Chacon pitched seven solid innings for his first win this season, breaking his major league record streak of nine straight no-decisions to start a season in Houston's 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.