News and notes after Mets avoid sweep  —  Here's a late-night summary from Shea Stadium ...  • David Wright said he was refreshed more so mentally than physically by his day off, and that his bat did feel lighter as he slugged two homers.  Since the start of 2005 …

McLane: 'We can't have anarchy' (w /audio)  —  A little over a week ago, I wrote a blog telling you the situation was quite toxic in the Astros' clubhouse and that players weren't quite buying into management's plan.  —  Well, I never imagined it would break down into a confrontation …

In Pittsburgh, Posada Takes in All Things Clemente  —  PITTSBURGH — Jorge Posada is a five-time All-Star, but this week he is an awestruck fan.  The Yankees are playing in Pittsburgh, where Roberto Clemente starred for the Pirates, and Clemente is a hero to Posada.

Pirates Notebook: Reliever acquired; Barthmaier coming up  —  The Pirates did find outside pitching help, as expected, but it was not for the ailing rotation.  —  Instead, general manager Neal Huntington added another power arm to the bullpen by acquiring Denny Bautista from Detroit for Class A reliever Kyle Pearson.

O's put Albers on 15-day DL  —  RHP goes on disabled list with sore shoulder; team calls up reliever F. Cabrera from Norfolk  —  The Orioles placed pitcher Matt Albers on the 15-day disabled list today with a sore right shoulder and brought up reliever Fernando Cabrera from Triple-A Norfolk.

Wilpon misinformed about prospects  —  In defending Omar Minaya earlier this week, Mets CEO Fred Wilpon issued this questionable proclamation/criticism/evaluation:  —  “Contrary to what you all are reporting about our minor leagues, our minor leagues are in much better shape than what's being reported.”

Cards waste 4 hits by Pujols  —  Not even a 4-for-4 day by Albert Pujols in his first game off the disabled list was enough to offset the Cardinals' shaky bullpen and managerial decisions.  —  After Pujols singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Detroit's Gary Sheffield tied …

Tim Wakefield outduels Randy Johnson as Red Sox roll  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Considering all they have endured this year, reaching the halfway point of the season last night leading their division and only a shade behind last year's pace has to be considered …

From Underdogs to National Champions, Fresno State Completes Amazing Run  —  Fresno State completed the most improbable run in recent college sports history as they became the lowest seed ever to win a national championship defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 6-1 on Wednesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Wieters earns promotion to Bowie  —  O's expected to announce first-round pick headed to Double-A affiliate  —  CHICAGO - The Orioles are expected to announce today that catcher Matt Wieters, the organization's first-round draft pick last season and its top prospect, will be promoted to Double-A Bowie.

Angels appear to be standing pat  —  WASHINGTON - The more things change, the more they stand pat.  —  The Angels changed general managers last fall, as Tony Reagins replaced Bill Stoneman.  Despite making annual runs at players like Mark Teixeira and Miguel Tejada, Stoneman was often criticized …

A Love Letter To The Deadspinners  —  We say this in all seriousness, and mean it about as much as we could possibly mean anything: The main goal of this site was to give people something entertaining to distract themselves from their desk jobs.  We feel like we somewhat succeeded in this role …

mets 1st rd. pick ike davis and some of his brooklyn teammates embarrass team  —  Actually, the entire Mets organization should be embarrassed by their behavior.  They certainly don't know how to treat a woman.  —  I'm sorry to have to report this, but here it goes: Earlier today …

the market for pitchers  —  annoying loss last night; the cards had four separate leads (2-0, 4-2, 6-5, and 7-6) and blew them all.  that's how it goes sometimes; the tigers are playing well, they were at home, and they have a lineup with no holes.  tip your cap and move on.