Pedro will make his Mets return at San Francisco  —  Pedro Martinez will make his next start for the Mets in San Francisco next week, a team official confirmed last night.  —  Martinez was believed to be en route to New York yesterday from Port St. Lucie, Fla. Because he's Pedro, though …

Middle relievers give Giants room to deal  —  Young arms give chance to deal  —  PHOENIX - The trade market might be materializing a little earlier than normal this year and the Giants are actively shopping several players, according to sources.  —  But not the names you'd expect.

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 …

Torre makes it clear: Yankees are behind him  —  FLUSHING, N.Y.—In his first trip to New York since leaving last fall, Joe Torre held court before an overflow throng of reporters on Thursday.  —  He wasn't in the Bronx, where he managed the New York Yankees.  He was in the visitors dugout across town at Shea Stadium.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …