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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …