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.”

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.

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:

Acta looks safe through Thursday  —  The Washington Nationals did not announce the firing of the third-year manager Monday, and a team spokesman said Acta was in New York for the start of the Nationals' three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday.  —  If Acta is not let go before Tuesday night's …

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 …

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 …

Raissman: Slow burn on SNY as Joba chided  —  The line was once reserved for Steve Trachsel.  On Friday night, Keith Hernandez applied it to alleged phenom Joba Chamberlain.  —  “It's like watching paint dry with Joba out there, isn't it?”  Hernandez, on SportsNet New York …

AccuScore: Playoff shifts after week 10  —  Buzz up! … AMERICAN LEAGUE  —  The Red Sox have managed to lead this American League list two weeks in a row thanks to their resounding sweep of the Yankees (wins are doubly important when they are over a primary division rival) and their taking two of three on the road in Philadelphia.

Rockies unsurprised by 11-game streak  —  Runs like this nothing new for many veteran players  —  DENVER — The delirium of the Coors Field crowd rang in the ears of manager Jim Tracy after Saturday night's 5-3 victory over the Mariners, when it hit him that his players weren't delirious, and had no reason to be.

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 …

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.

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 …

Phillies draft pick Dugan visits big stage before Act 1 of his career  —  The work begins after Kelly Dugan, the Phillies' top draft pick, reports to the Gulf Coast (Rookie) League Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.  —  That's not until Wednesday, though.  Before that, the 75th overall selection …

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.

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 …

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.

Rangers cut several front office staff members … ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have cut several staff members from its front office, despite improved results on the field and at the gate.  —  Rangers spokesman John Blake tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the job cuts amounted to less than 10 percent of the staff.