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 …

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.

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 …

Bondy: Victory is nothing to go wild about yet  —  OAKLAND - Chien-Ming Wang finally looked like Chien-Ming Wang Tuesday night, against a team that might well become the Yankees' primary roadblock to a wild-card berth in October.  —  His pitch count was minuscule.

Why Chipper Jones won't be able to keep up with himself … Chipper Jones single-handedly has made batting average cool again, as soothing to a baseball romantic as vinyl to an audiophile.  Yes, we have better, more advanced delivery systems of baseball statistics and rock and roll …

Players ID'd in Mitchell report remain unemployed … These are tough times for unemployed players named in the Mitchell report trying to find work in baseball, whether they happen to be a home run king such as Barry Bonds or a 31-year-old such as Jay Gibbons or an extra outfielder, such as Nook Logan.

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.

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.

Mets call up Zephyr slugger Chris Aguila  —  Former Marlin Chris Aguila is headed to New York, Surfing the Mets has learned.  He'll replace Abraham Nunez, who was designated for assignment after Tuesday night's game.  —  Aguila (above r.) has been on a longball tear at Triple-A New Orleans.

Glavine goes on the DL with elbow strain  —  Chicago — Braves left-hander Tom Glavine strained his pitching elbow during Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs and was placed on the disabled list after the game.  —  He will return to Atlanta on Wednesday and will have an MRI on Thursday.

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.

Pujols is hurt in Cards' win  —  CINCINNATI — Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park offered the Cardinals several reasons for jubilation, one for dismay.  —  The outcome was a 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds, a decision for Mitchell Boggs in his debut as a major-league starting pitcher …

‘Lot of unknowns’ after Smotlz's shoulder surgery  —  Braves veteran had significantly damaged labrum  —  If the Braves were hoping to find an easy solution within John Smoltz's damaged right shoulder, that wish went unanswered Tuesday.  —  The Atlanta ace has a damaged labrum …

BOMBERS EYE 3B-ER FROM CUBA  —  OAKLAND - The Yankees haven't had much success with the Cuban third basemen they've signed, but the club isn't shying away from Dayan Viciedo.  —  “We will certainly take a look at it,” minor-league head Mark Newman said of the 18-year-old Viciedo …