Johan, Mets done in by one pitch  —  Hernandez's grand slam proves to be all Mariners need  —  NEW YORK — The plan sometimes is flawed.  Other times, the execution is lacking.  Instances exist, though, when the plan is well-conceived, its execution is proper and the results are quite acceptable.

Raissman: Manuel can help defrost icy Shea  —  It remains to be seen if Jerry Manuel can lead the Mets to the promised land - or at least a trip to the playoffs.  But in the eight days since Omar (It Was My Decision) Minaya gave him the keys to his blue and orange jalopy …

Jeter showing low numbers  —  If there were ever a year when Derek Jeter could be called overrated, this has been it.  —  The Yankees' captain, the highest-paid shortstop in baseball, has a .279 batting average, a whopping 37 points below his career mark, while his 10 doubles and 39 runs scored put him well below his usual pace.

In 1960, a Series to Remember (or Forget)  —  PITTSBURGH — Typically, Herb Soltman and his legion of Pittsburgh Pirates fans have only one day a year to pay homage to the most dramatic ending in the 104 years of World Series play, when Bill Mazeroski blasted a game-ending …

Fred Wilpon backs Minaya on Randolph firing  —  In his first expansive public comments since the Mets fired Willie Randolph a week ago, team CEO Fred Wilpon defended the team's actions and proclaimed happiness with the job performance of general manager Omar Minaya.

A's Take Lead In Inoa Sweepstakes  —  Dominican could shatter bonus records  —  According to several international sources, Oakland has established itself as the clear frontrunner to sign 16-year-old Dominican righthander Michel Inoa when the international signing period begins on July 2.

Surgery result optimistic for Curt Schilling  —  WILMINGTON, Del. - The door is still open.  —  After one hour and 45 minutes of surgery on Red Sox [team stats] pitcher Curt Schilling [stats], Dr. Craig Morgan and his associate, Dr. Augustus Mazzocca, looked at each other and smiled.

PAVANO MAY RETURN BEFORE PHIL  —  Dropping him into the clubhouse might prove to be too much of a challenge, but there is a chance Carl “American Idle” Pavano could be ready to pitch for the Yankees before Phil Hughes.  —  “I haven't asked, but it's possible,” GM Brian Cashman said last night.

Baseball's Other Racial Barrier  —  Latino Players Forge a Big-League Presence, but Are a Rarity on College Rosters  —  It's hard to watch the college-baseball World Series, under way now in Omaha, Neb., without noticing how different the college game is from the major-league version.

Yankees Should Trade Melky Cabrera  —  Two key tenets of successful team building in baseball: First, deal from strength, and second, take advantage when the market overvalues your assets.  Brian Cashman may find himself in the unusual position of meeting both conditions for making a trade …

With Marshall arriving, Johnson likely to DL  —  The Cubs will make a roster move Tuesday to clear space for left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall.  —  Outfielder Reed Johnson is a likely candidate to go on the disabled list with back problems.  —  Johnson has not played since Tuesday at Tampa Bay …

Vizquel to return in odd role of visitor  —  Shortstop cultivated plenty of memories on, off field in Cleveland  —  Omar Vizquel often can see the losing on their faces.  —  Before most games, he likes to stand in the dugout and look across to the other side.

UGA stuns Fresno State in CWS opener … OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Joey Lewis hit a tiebreaking double in Georgia's four-run eighth inning, and the Bulldogs came from three runs down to defeat Fresno State 7-6 in Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Monday night.