Wagner blows save again, Mets lose  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Billy Wagner's big slump has come at a terrible time for the New York Mets.  —  The beleaguered closer coughed up his third consecutive save chance, this time wasting a splendid pitching performance by Johan Santana and allowing …

O's offense can't erase early deficit  —  Late rally falls short after Olson allows five runs in the first  —  BOSTON — It looked nothing like the back-and-forth offensive battle of just a night before.  Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon made sure of that from the very first inning.

Inoa, 16, at head of Latin American prospect class … Less than a month after Major League Baseball's first-year player draft comes the big auction for Latin American prospects.  No draft slot is necessary.  Just bring loads of cash and make your best pitch.

Rick Sutcliffe is concerned for Erin Andrews' skirt in Chicago  —  Watch the Lassoed clip here.  —  To recap: Ms. Andrews was wearing a top that she described as “spelling bee yellow.”  She then said she was wearing the color for ol' Sut, who is currently battling cancer, before throwing it back up to the booth.

Cabrera's HR in 9th gives Tigers sweep  —  DETROIT (AP)—Miguel Cabrera listened intently to Jim Leyland and did exactly what the Detroit Tigers manager told him to do.  —  Cabrera hit a game-ending solo homer in the ninth inning and the Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Andino called up, Jones out  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Jacque Jones' stay with the Marlins lasted less than three weeks.  —  In a move that was somewhat surprising, the Marlins designated Jones for assignment after Wednesday's dramatic win over the Phillies and promoted Triple-A infielder Robert Andino to take his place on the roster.

Pap to Rays: ‘Payback is a bitch’  —  In his weekly appearance on Comcast SportsNet yesterday, Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said the Sox feud with the Rays is not over yet.  —  “Obviously as you can see it's a war when we go play those guys,” Papelbon said on the Sox rivalry with the Rays.

Cubs to turn back the clock at Wrigley  —  Chicago (42-24) vs. Atlanta (32-34), Thursday, 1:20 p.m. CT  —  CHICAGO — When you turn on the Cubs and Braves game Thursday, don't panic.  There's nothing wrong with your TV set.  —  The teams will turn back the clock in honor of the 60th anniversary …

Royals designate Tomko for assignment  —  Right-hander was 2-7; Rosa called up from Triple-A Omaha  —  KANSAS CITY — Veteran pitcher Brett Tomko was designated for assignment by the Royals on Thursday.  Right-hander Carlos Rosa was called up from Triple-A Omaha to take his place.

Abandoned Playground  —  Something about the way the sun hits Shea in late afternoon when almost everybody's gone home appeals to me.  Probably because it reminds me of the playground at East School.  That's where I did most of my balling, if you could call it that, in my youth.

Nationals fall short in comeback attempt against Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH - Ryan Doumit finished an outstanding series against Washington, hitting another home run in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 7-5 win over the Nationals on Thursday.  —  In the three-game series, the Pirates catcher went 9-for-11 …

The Star Ledger's Dan GrazianoSits Down With Bronx Liaison  —  The Star Ledger's Dan Graziano  —  Sits Down With Bronx Liaison  —  by Bronx Liaison … 6 comments  —  Labels Dan Graziano, interview, Newark Star Ledger

Twins cut ties with reliever Rincon  —  Pitcher said he will elect free agency over Minors assignment  —  CLEVELAND — The Twins cut ties with right-handed pitcher Juan Rincon as expected on Thursday, offering him an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester.  Rincon has 72 hours to accept or decline the assignment.

Texas Rangers' Bradley gets emotional over TV comments  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Milton Bradley is an emotional player.  That emotion overflowed in the clubhouse after Wednesday's game in response to something Kansas City Royals television broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre …

ROUGH NIGHT FOR RASNER  —  With their team comfortably ahead in the sixth inning last night at McAfee Coliseum, a small group of A's fans in the intimate gathering started chanting, “Yankees [stink], Yankees [stink].”  —  Anybody watching - Yankees fan or not - found the chant impossible to dispute.