Mets fall to D-backs despite meeting  —  Few grand plans have gotten off to a worse start than the Mets' new one did Tuesday night.  —  They haven't played like a playoff team, but the Mets still believe they are one.  And Tuesday, before facing the Diamondbacks, the Mets players emerged …

Trachsel designated for assignment  —  Time with O's likely over; infielder Salazar called up  —  About two weeks after losing his spot in the rotation, Steve Trachsel officially lost his place on the Orioles' roster as the veteran right-hander was designated for assignment yesterday.

Fan looks to deal Griffey's 600th HR ball  —  MIAMI GARDENS - As he continued efforts to broker a deal between “Joe” and Ken Griffey Jr. for the 600th home run baseball, Marlins President David Samson quashed a budding controversy Tuesday over who initially possessed the memento when it landed …

Yankees game story  —  Here's a more complete game story, since we didn't make papers with the full story.  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Chien-Ming Wang finally put his month of misery behind him Tuesday night.  —  Wang had turned in four consecutive dreadful starts, enough to cause many people to push the panic button on the Yankees' ace.

Author of “Eight Men Out” dies  —  HUDSON, N.Y. (AP)—Eliot Asinof, an author who invited readers behind the scenes of the sports world with books including “Eight Men Out,” died Tuesday at the age of 88.  —  The Ancramdale resident died at a hospital in Hudson of complications from pneumonia, said his son, Martin Asinof.

Willingham ready for rehab stint  —  If extended games go well, outfielder may be back in two weeks  —  MIAMI — Before the rest of the team was on the field taking batting practice on Tuesday afternoon, Josh Willingham was already running the bases and fielding balls in the outfield at Dolphin Stadium.

NO JOKE!  ‘HEALTHY’ ALOU EYES PLAYOFFS  —  If you believe Moises Alou, he is fully healthy, finally.  But if you think that's a whopper, he also thinks his team will make the playoffs.  —  Alou returned from the disabled list last night but left after six innings when Willie Randolph …

Win-now mentality has Dodgers looking to deal Kemp  —  Matt Kemp may become a superstar, but it'll take time.  That means the win-now Dodgers have to make a tough call on him, Ken Rosenthal says.

While Texas Rangers round the bases, fans stay at home  —  It is June.  The Texas Rangers' overall record is probably slightly better than you thought it would be before the season.  It is undoubtedly a lot better than you thought it would be on say April 15.  Nolan Ryan is back with the team.

Glavine headed back to DL  —  Sore elbow has become too painful for lefty  —  CHICAGO — It took Tom Glavine more than 20 years to find an injury that would force him to go on the disabled list.  He didn't have to wait nearly as long to make his second trip.

Texas Rangers take advantage of mistakes to run past Royals, 6-5  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The easiest way to erase your own mistakes is to take advantage of someone else's.  —  The Rangers did that Tuesday in an unlikely 6-5 victory in Kansas City.

Rasner reminisces, looks ahead  —  New York (33-32) at Oakland (34-30), Wednesday, 10:05 p.m. ET  —  OAKLAND — If Darrell Rasner takes a few steps off the pitcher's mound on Wednesday and looks beyond the left-field fence, he can spot the tribute the A's marked for their 1989 World Series championship …

Brewers have 19 picks under contract  —  Two of top five selections inked deals with Milwaukee  —  HOUSTON — Five days after the First-Year Player Draft, the Brewers already have come to terms with 19 of their 54 selections and one undrafted player.  At least one more prominent pick reportedly is ready to add his name to the list.

Arizona hands Mets fifth straight loss  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Soon after the lightning storm ended, the Arizona Diamondbacks put on their own power show.  —  Chris Snyder hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning off Joe Smith, and Arizona sent the New York Mets to their fifth straight loss Tuesday night …