RELIEF CRISIS FOR BOMBERS  —  Unable to get cell-phone reception in the Yankee clubhouse, manager Joe Girardi made the long walk to the Metrodome playing field so he could make the call and find out what minor-league reliever or two could make it to the big leagues in time for today's game against the Twins.

Five hundred!  —  BALTIMORE - Manny Ramirez kept saying 'Don't worry about it!'  Well, no need to ask the question again.  —  Ramirez has sent this large Red Sox crowd here at Camden Yards into a frenzy by stroking his 500th homer in the seventh inning.  —  The home run came on the first pitch …

Time for Monforts to cash in biggest chip  —  The Rockies are playing dreadful and acting frightened, as if they saw a white sapote-headed alien with Eddie Cantor eyes.  —  They agonized through their sixth consecutive defeat in Chicago on Saturday, have lost 17 of their last 19 on the road …

Rockies bad top to bottom  —  CHICAGO — From goose bumps to circling vultures.  —  It's been a remarkable seven months for the Rockies.  They represented the National League in the World Series and now are on the verge of becoming a one-stop trading post for contenders.

Mets need to keep winning for us to start believing  —  There's an old-fashioned in-house wall phone in the middle of the Mets' clubhouse at Shea Stadium.  When it rings, it's usually for Jay Horwitz, the Mets' venerable vice president, media relations.  —  It rang Saturday night at about 7:20.

Abreu's hit boosts Bombers over .500  —  “It's a good sign,” Joe Girardi said.  “To me, it's important to get over .500, because you start looking at getting five games over and go from there in small increments.”  —  The last time the Yankees were over .500 was May 4, when they were 17-16.

Rivas hits grand slam in Pittsburgh's victory over Cards  —  ST. LOUIS (AP)—Luis Rivas made the most of his unexpected opportunity.  —  Replacing the injured Jack Wilson, Rivas hit his first career grand slam in a five-run third inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 14-4 on Saturday night.

Brewers strike early against Backe, top Astros 5-1  —  Cameron, Braun pace Brewers' attack with two homers in first  —  MILWAUKEE — Although Brandon Backe could hardly blame his teammates for his demise Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, there's no denying that pitching …

Gary Carter hasn't been shy about his interest in managing the Mets  —  Gary Carter will spend a good 14 hours today on a bus ride from Yuma, Ariz., to the northern California city of Chico.  Not the most ideal Sunday for a retired All-Star catcher with a plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Carter doesn't mind.

Nolasco stifles Phillies; three home runs help Marlins regain first place  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ricky Nolasco was able to do something Saturday that nobody has for a week: cool off the Philadelphia Phillies' blistering offense.  —  Nolasco pitched the Marlins back into first place …

Juan Rivera stands tall after Angels strand too many  —  Maicer Izturis set up the winning run with a bunt single, his fourth hit of the game, and pinch-hitter Juan Rivera delivered an RBI single in the 10th to give the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Angel Stadium.

Red Sox activate, send down RHP Buchholz  —  BALTIMORE (AP)—The Boston Red Sox activated right-hander Clay Buchholz from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he had been on a rehabilitation assignment.  —  Buchholz was placed on the disabled list …

DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL  —  Leyland tinkering with Tigers: Guillen headed to outfield, Willis to get start in Oakland  —  SEATTLE — The status quo is being shaken.  Tigers manager Jim Leyland said prior to Friday night's game with the Mariners that changes are coming.