Schmidt: Mets know Phillies are better than them  —  NEW YORK (AP) — In a pep talk via e-mail, Mike Schmidt reminded the Philadelphia Phillies of their big comeback to win the NL East last season and said “the Mets know you're better than they are.”  —  With the Phillies opening a crucial …

Yanks deny Morrow a no-no in opener  —  Betemit picks up Bombers' first hit in eighth with RBI double  —  SEATTLE — Brandon Morrow's first Major League start was one that he will never forget.  Neither will anyone who was present at Safeco Field, though the Yankees certainly will try.

Longoria returns to Rays for stretch drive  —  TORONTO (AP) — Evan Longoria was activated off the 15-day disabled list Saturday after the Tampa Bay slugger said he felt “almost 100%” following 30 swings with a regular bat.  —  “I don't know how much better it could get,” Longoria said.

Quentin has only himself to blame  —  Without ever cracking a joke or smiling, Carlos Quentin was funny.  —  Watch the crazy baseball player work himself into a lather over a strikeout.  Look at him want to smash his helmet after a groundout.  See those eyes glaring.

Skid hits six as pitching hit hard  —  Reds rookies tee off on Lilly, Lieber for nine runs by fourth  —  CINCINNATI — All the Cubs need is one win to be happy again.  —  Ted Lilly lasted two innings Friday in his shortest outing of the season as the Cincinnati Reds roughed up the Cubs, 10-2, to hand them their sixth straight loss.

Scully will return for 60th season  —  Dodgers broadcaster, 80, will continue with same workload  —  LOS ANGELES — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said Friday he will return to the Dodgers for a 60th season at the microphone in 2009.  —  Scully, whose current three-year contract runs through 2008 …

10 years later: McGwire on No. 62  —  Ten years have passed since that Sept. 8 night at Busch Stadium when Mark McGwire hit No. 62 on the way to 70 home runs in 1998.  —  “Can you believe that?  God, time flies by,” McGwire said Friday from his Southern California home.

Postgame notes: Melancon doesn't pitch.  Again. … Yesterday in Pawtucket, Melancon had his back wrapped, but when I asked about it he said it wasn't an issue.  Sounded more precautionary than anything, and maybe it is, but it is a bit odd that he hasn't pitched these three games.

Manuel skeptical of rain forecast  —  With Tropical Storm Hanna expected to sweep through Shea on Saturday, the Mets already have made contingency plans to reschedule the 3:55 p.m. game against the Phillies.  If the matinee is washed out, it will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Sunday.

Ethier, Lowe carry Dodgers  —  LA pulls within half-game in NL West after sixth straight win  —  LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier homered and drove in a career-high five runs and Derek Lowe pitched eight scoreless innings as the Dodgers pulled to within a half-game of first place with a 7-0 rout of over Arizona on Friday night.