If Mets keep fading, will Manuel follow Randolph?  —  BALTIMORE - Set your alarm clocks.  —  At 3:11 a.m. Wednesday, it will be exactly one year since the Mets fired Willie Randolph, hours after his team rallied to beat the Angels in Anaheim.  —  The move was largely applauded …

Angels P Escobar headed back to DL; Guerrero begins throwing  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kelvim Escobar is going back on the Los Angeles Angels' disabled list.  —  Escobar missed last season with a torn labrum and already spent a stint on the 60-day DL this year because of his troublesome shoulder.

Catchers May Have Hand in Yanks' Pitching Problems  —  “Jorge is obviously that rare combination of being a catcher and an offensive player,” Brian Cashman said.  “Cervelli and Molina are more one-sided, to the defensive side.  I can't really say why there's a difference.”

LSU pounds former teammate for 9-1 win over Arkansas  —  OMAHA — Frequently, a former player thrives against his old team.  In the case of former LSU pitcher T.J. Forrest, however, familiarity bred home runs.  —  LSU started slow against their former teammate now pitching for Arkansas …

Phillies GM looking for pitching  —  After playing three extra-innings games last week and enduring a 95-minute rain delay on Saturday night, the Phillies got a much-needed day away from the ballpark yesterday.  —  Ruben Amaro Jr. did not.  —  The Phillies' general manager is happy …

Angels ride seven-run fourth past Giants  —  Lackey strikes out 10, delivers first career hit and RBI  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A seven-run fourth inning — highlighted by a pair of homers and John Lackey's first Major League hit and RBI — lifted Lackey and the Angels to an 9-7 decision …

SHEFFIELD'S KNEE DIDN'T NEED MRI  —  BALTIMORE — The Mets now say Gary Sheffield will continue to play on his sore right knee after an exam by team doctors Sunday at Yankee Stadium showed the 41-year-old slugger didn't need an MRI exam.  —  The sudden about-face came after Sheffield …

Fielder, Braun break out the bats as Brewers rally past Indians  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead grand slam in Milwaukee's six-run eighth inning and the Brewers rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 14-12 on Monday night.  —  Fielder finished with a career-high six RBI …

Nationals could replace Acta with Valentine; pitching market thinning … Manny Acta appears to be on his way out as Nationals manager, and while respected ex-big league manager Jim Riggleman reportedly will be installed as the interim manager, team higher-ups also have begun internal discussions about permanent candidates.

Dodgers call up Ellis, option Hoffmann  —  Another roster move expected to be made Tuesday  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers did some roster juggling Monday, calling up catcher A.J. Ellis from Triple-A Albuquerque while sending outfielder Jamie Hoffmann back to Albuquerque.

Dodger bullpen still not overworked  —  Express memo to major-league broadcasters and reporters: Please, before you complain about the arms of the Dodger bullpen falling off, read this.  —  So many people remain so sure that the Dodgers are burning out their bullpen, I've decided to take another close look.

Morning links: Dude singing on that video  —  I put out the word last week, seeking the identity of the young man who produced this song about the Nate McLouth trade ...  (Please visit the site to view this media)  —  ... and I ended up hearing from Jesse Andrews himself:

Agent: Isringhausen plans to pitch again  —  Veteran reliever Jason Isringhausen may be done for the season due to upcoming Tommy John surgery - his second elbow surgery in 10 months - but his agent says he plans to come back and pitch in the big leagues again.

Minor League Transactions  —  Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryan Augenstein, LHP Wade Miley  —  Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Leo Rosales  —  Optioned to Double-A: LHP Daniel Schlereth

Dodgers first baseman James Loney is a cool customer  —  He has a unique personality that provides plenty of stories for teammates to tell but is also the guy they want to see at the plate in a clutch situation.  —  Go around the Dodgers' locker room and ask someone to tell you a story about James Loney.

Indians revive movie magic vs. Brewers  —  Cleveland (28-36) vs. Milwaukee (34-29), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  CLEVELAND — A late lead for the Tribe against the Brewers.  Closer Kerry Wood coming to the mound.  And the hard-strumming opening notes of The Troggs' “Wild Thing” blasting on the PA system.

OMAR MINAYA'S GOTTA FIX METS  —  NOT only did GM Omar Minaya watch the Mets lose two of three to the Yankees — including the 15-0 Sunday slaughter and Friday night's ultimate give-away, when Luis Castillo dropped that pop fly — but he's had to do it from a sick bed.

Phillies' Utley an old-school player in modern times  —  FOR THE SECOND straight year now, Chase Utley leads all National League players in All-Star votes.  Consider that for a second.  He has never won a batting title, or a home-run title, or been named Most Valuable Player.