Mets Lead the Majors in Declining Attendance  —  A year after moving into a sparkling new $800 million stadium, the Mets have the most home victories in the major leagues, but neither their stadium nor their record is translating into box-office success.  —  After 22 home games …

Marlins 2  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Conversation  —  Marlins escape Mets in Santana-Johnson duel  —  MIAMI — Once Cody Ross slid across the plate, he kept going — right into the arms of a jubilant Hanley Ramirez.  —  The rest of the Florida Marlins quickly joined …

The Firing of Trey Hillman  —  In 2007, when the Kansas City Royals hired Trey Hillman to be their manager, I traveled to Japan to watch the man in action.  Hillman was a bold hire by what then looked like a young and bold organization.  The Royals had just hired Dayton Moore from Atlanta …

Padres extend NL West led over Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—The San Diego Padres are doing all the little things that first-place teams do: aggressive baserunning, manufacturing runs, pressuring the opposing pitcher.  —  Yorvit Torrealba  —  drove in two runs against his former team, pitcher Clayton Richard

Minnesota's Gardenhire to go to motivational forum  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The full-page ad has been printed in local newspapers for weeks, touting appearances by Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani and Steve Forbes and others of prominence at an upcoming motivational seminar.

VALENTINO PASCUCCI SIGNED BY NEW YORK METS ORGANIZATION  —  Camden's Designated Hitter to Report to New York's AAA Affiliate  —  The Camden Riversharks announced today that designated hitter, Valentino Pascucci has signed a contract with the New York Mets organization.

Evan Grant: If the Rangers trade Justin Smoak, it will be for a player to put them over the top  —  Here are some highlights:  —  Are the Rangers prepared to go with a Matt Treanor/Max Ramirez platoon for a while, or are they going to have to gear up the trade machine early?

Selig honored by anti-PED group  —  MLB Commissioner first recipient of Taylor's Award  —  NEW YORK — Commissioner Bud Selig was named the first recipient of Taylor's Award, presented by the Taylor Hooton Foundation to an individual who has made a major impact on efforts to educate …

Wren thinks offense has turned corner  —  General manager impressed by production in Milwaukee  —  ATLANTA — With a little more than 20 percent of this season complete, Braves general manager Frank Wren has been forced to patiently await a stretch that provides strong indication …