Popper: Time for Mets and their fans to face reality  —  The question was raised a lot in recent years.  Could you rebuild in New York?  —  Could you put aside the illusions of contending, stop filling holes with veteran stopgaps, piling more payroll onto a team that was never going to quite reach the heights plotted for it?

Sources: Millwood leaves Red Sox organization … BOSTON — Right-hander Kevin Millwood, whom the Red Sox signed to a minor league contract May 19, has left the organization, according to several sources.  —  Millwood made 13 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket this season, posting a record of 5-1 with a 4.28 ERA.

Alex ramping up; could rehab in minors Friday  —  BOSTON — Alex Rodriguez might be able to start playing in minor league games Friday after making progress during yesterday's workout in Tampa.  —  Asked the earliest the cleanup hitter could start a rehab assignment, general manager Brian Cashman said “the 12th.”

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe umpires have it in for David Price  —  ST. PETERSBURG — LHP David Price admits he has to pitch better.  —  With just one win in his past six starts and a losing record (9-10) overall, he takes the mound today needing to give up fewer hits …

Fielder Leads Brewers to 7-5 Win Over Astros  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Prince Fielder finished a triple shy of the cycle and drove in four runs, and the Milwaukee Brewers won for the 10th time in 11 games by beating the Houston Astros 7-5 Saturday night.  —  Fielder hit a three-run homer in the first …

Reds-Cubs Preview … While it's too late for any realistic playoff hopes, the Chicago Cubs' longest win streak in nearly three years has brought a small measure of affirmation.  —  The Cubs will try to add to their seven-game run Sunday by completing a three-game sweep of the slumping Cincinnati Reds.

Mets SS Reyes leaves game with stiff hamstring  —  NEW YORK—Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Sunday's game against Atlanta because of stiffness in his left hamstring, the same spot that landed him on the disabled list last month.  —  Reyes, the NL batting leader, was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the second inning.

Turner's 2 HRs Lift Mets Over Braves 11-7  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Turner homered twice and the New York Mets stopped a five-game losing streak with an 11-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.  —  Jason Bay and Josh Thole also connected for the Mets, who banged out 16 hits to break out of a weeklong offensive funk.

Lackey on track — in life and on mound  —  BOSTON  —  Maybe John Lackey's season finally is starting to make sense.  —  Not only was Lackey hampered by elbow issues early in the year, but he also was trying to help his wife, Krista, in her fight against breast cancer.

Is Papelbon now a save situation for the Red Sox?  —  How can you say goodbye to Jonathan Papelbon?  —  You probably can't.  —  The Red Sox were willing to offer 41-year-old Mariano Rivera a three-year deal last offseason.  OK, there was some gamesmanship in that offer knowing that he'd go back to the Yankees.