Madden: Yanks have same old problems  —  Even though George Steinbrenner has faded from view and silenced his old back-page bluster, it is safe to say the Yankees have lost none of The Boss' “Barnum” and remain the greatest show on Earth.  —  At least off the field.

MADGE'S BASE BAWL  —  STUNG BY BUZZ OF COZY A-ROD VISITS  —  Now that's a squeeze play!  —  Madonna yesterday strongly denied reports that she and Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez have been cozying up at the unhappily married Material Mom's Upper West Side pad.

We really need to work on this ‘grace in defeat’ thing  —  In light of the way tonight's 3-1 loss by the Red Sox to the Tampa Bay Rays went, perhaps this image captured during the telecast of the game sums up the frustration of Sox fans everywhere:  —  Yeah, that just about does it …

This is confusing  —  The Yankees had a runner on first base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and were down 3-2 tonight.  —  Derek Jeter was on the bench.  But Melky Cabrera stayed in the game and grounded into a double play.  This would be the same Melky Cabrera who was 0 for his last 18 when he stepped to the plate.

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal in pain after rehab start  —  He will be examined by doctor after he feels back discomfort the morning after playing in his first minor league game following nearly two months on the disabled list.  —  HOUSTON — Nearly two months after going on the disabled list …

Anderson's HR extends Angels' West lead  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—No matter how badly Garret Anderson may be slumping, he's always a dangerous hitter.  —  Anderson hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning after Vladimir Guerrero had tied it with an RBI single …

Sanchez hit in the leg against Cards  —  Mets reliever exits game, but won't miss time with bruise  —  ST. LOUIS — Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez was struck on the inside of his left knee by a line drive on Tuesday.  He remained on the ground for several minutes while the team's training staff attended …

Marichal and Spahn Dueled a Complete Game and a Half  —  From the ninth inning on, Juan Marichal pleaded with his manager, Alvin Dark, to stay in the game.  Why shouldn't he keep pitching?  Marichal, the San Francisco Giants right-hander with the high leg kick, had held the Milwaukee Braves scoreless.

Phillies option Myers to Triple-A  —  GM Gillick hopes righty can return to form by second half  —  ATLANTA — The Phillies optioned struggling right-hander Brett Myers to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before Tuesday's game against the Braves.  General manager Pat Gillick announced the move in a statement.

Cain's gem lifts Giants past Cubs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain had been thinking a lot about this outing and how much he needed to bounce back with a great start.  Then he went out and pitched one of his best games yet in 2008.  —  Cain struck out 10 in eight shutout innings …

Dominican phenom Inoa agrees to deal with A's … ORLANDO, Fla. — Dominican prospect Michael Inoa has agreed to a minor league contract and a $4.25 million signing bonus with the Oakland Athletics, said the 16-year-old from Santo Domingo.  —  Inoa and his parents turned down more lucrative offers …

Manuel sees the errors in Reyes' ways  —  ST. LOUIS - Jerry Manuel always admired the way Dave Concepcion and Barry Larkin played shortstop for the Reds over a 35-year span.  Now, the Mets' interim manager is trying to teach Jose Reyes what made those Cincinnati standouts successful.