Victory Puts Focus Back on the Field  —  All of a sudden, the Mets have changed the tone and the topic at Shea Stadium, all for the better.  The week began with recriminations about their shabby Western trip and debate about the employment of Manager Willie Randolph.

Rockies collapse in clutch  —  Colorado blows 4-3 lead in 8-4 setback to plummet 14 games under .500  —  CHICAGO — To reach the dugout Thursday from their cramped, odorous clubhouse, the Rockies descended 20 concrete steps, made a right at the frazzled miniature-golf carpet …

Thunder RF Tabata disciplined again  —  TRENTON - Thunder right fielder Jose Tabata was yanked from tonight's game against visiting New Hampshire in the fifth inning for unspecified disciplinary reasons.  —  Suspended three games by the Yankees for leaving Waterfront Park following …

Johnson ties Clemens at No. 2 on Ks list  —  PHOENIX (AP)—Randy Johnson looked phenomenally strong for a 44-year-old pitcher.  That wasn't enough, though, for the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks against resurgent San Francisco.  —  Arizona's bullpen blew a late lead and Randy Winn's ninth …

FULL-TIME JOBA  —  CHAMBERLAIN SET TO JOIN YANKS' ROTATION  —  In a conversation with Brian Cashman yesterday, Hank Steinbrenner forgot to ask his GM when Joba Chamberlain will debut in the Yankees' rotation.  —  However, don't take that as indifference when it comes to converting baseball's premier set …

Harang appears affected by relief outing  —  Reds bats come up with two hits off former teammate in loss  —  CINCINNATI — The costly 18-inning game last weekend didn't just give the Reds one isolated loss on one isolated day.  The carryover from that six-hour day became visible on Thursday …

Hinshaw has earned his keep  —  Lefty's success contrasts with Threets' Triple-A struggles  —  PHOENIX — Left-hander Erick Threets was too valuable a commodity for the Giants to let go when the season began.  But Alex Hinshaw's emergence could make Threets expendable.

Guzman not focusing on free agency  —  Talks on hold til end of season; shortstop hopes to stay  —  SAN DIEGO — Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman is having the best year of his career thus far.  Entering Friday's action against the Diamondbacks, Guzman is hitting .304 with five home runs and 20 RBIs …

Drop-off in home runs not as deep as it may seem  —  Barry Bonds is home in Beverly Hills, Calif. Mike Piazza is retired.  And Sammy Sosa is waiting for a job.  —  While the names have changed, the number of home runs being hit is virtually the same as a year ago, varying little from Mark McGwire's record-setting season in 1998.

Quote: Willie was Illin'  —  Following last night's game, SNY's Kevin Burkhardt asked Willie Randolph, “It seems like all the things that were illing this club...it's like they've all come together, is it just timing,” to which Randolph smiled, laughed and asked, “Illing?  Is that like the hip-hop term, illin'.

Thames to get everyday shot to play  —  Joyce sent down after win over Angels; Thomas recalled  —  ANAHEIM — Marcus Thames is getting his shot.  —  While Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced Wednesday that Curtis Granderson would be an everyday player for the near future …

Brewers' Tavarez brings October mind-set, but ring doesn't come along  —  MILWAUKEE — Julian Tavarez didn't pitch in the postseason for the Boston Red Sox last season, but for being on the regular season roster, he has a World Series ring.  —  Somewhere.  —  It seems the newest member …

Mariners Notebook |  Morrow switch to role of starter looks more iffy  —  All the talk about the Mariners converting Brandon Morrow to a starting role out of the team's bullpen this year was apparently just that.  —  Now that the talking is done, it seems the Mariners have ruled it out.