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Jeff Teague's "Welcome to the NBA" moment came 90 minutes into his first workout as a pro. . . .

By JEFF WILSON ARLINGTON — The big inning has been elusive for most of the past two months at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and the five-run sixth the Texas Rangers put together Monday was warmly received.Three homers in an inning? That’s what was expected entering the season, and many still believe that an offensive surge is just around the corner.But pitching and defense — the two key pieces in any postseason run — have carried the Rangers all season, and that combination carried them to a 6-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.The offense, though, gets an assist.Kevin Millwood battled for six innings to keep the Red Sox in check, and a solo homer from Michael Young ignited a big inning against John Smoltz.'The big thing is we needed a win to keep things moving in the right direction again,' said Millwood, who beat his old golfing buddy from his days in Atlanta. 'To win against somebody of that caliber is great. I have so much respect for the guy.'David Murphy

Fernando Nieve tore his right quadriceps muscle trying to leg out a grounder Sunday in Atlanta, an MRI exam revealed. He will likely be out six weeks. Jon Niese is the likely rotation replacement for Saturday's game in Houston.

ATLANTA - Brian Stokes doesn't like Billy Wagner giving a name - specifically, Stokes' name - to a nothing role in the Mets' bullpen.

The electronic monitor came off ex-Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick's ankle and made him a free man Monday. Now the 29-year-old has to get on Roger Goodell's calendar and convince the league commissioner and team owners he is reformed and ready to play.

Reserves for the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game have been named, it was announced today by the League. Eastern and western conference head coaches selected the players from their respective conferences to round out the rosters. The All-Star Game, the ninth in league history, will be held on Saturday, July 25 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. and will be televised nationally on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET. The selection is highlighted by the Connecticut Sun's Asjha Jones, the Phoenix Mercury duo of Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter and six reserves as first-time All Stars: Jia Perkins (Chicago Sky), Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta Dream), Shameka Christon (New York Liberty), Erika de Souza (Atlanta Dream), Nicky Anosike (Minnesota Lynx) and Charde Houston (Minnesota Lynx).

Shameka Christon of the New York Liberty and Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury were named the WNBA Eastern and western conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, July 13 through Sunday, July 19. Pondexter becomes the first player in league history to win three consecutive Player of the Week awards. Christon earns the second Player of the Week award of her career after averaging 26.5 points, tops among all players, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals for the week. She helped the Liberty to a three-point win over the Atlanta Dream on July 19, to boost the team's record this week to 1-1. Pondexter earns her third consecutive Player of the Week Award and the fifth of her career. She led Phoenix to its third straight 2-0 week with averages of 19.0 points, 11.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds. She led the WNBA in assists for the week with five more assists per game than any other player. Further, she was tied for fifth overall and second in the Western Conference among

ATLANTA — Tommy Hanson struck out 11 to remain unbeaten, Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves beat the Giants 11-3 on Monday night in Jonathan Sanchez's first start since his no-hitter.

The Atlanta Hawks have signed their first-round draft choice, guard Jeff Teague. The 6-foot-2 Teague was the 19th choice overall in the 2009 NBA draft.

ATLANTA -- Here we go again. Despite suffering from what the Mets initially described as a cramp in his right hamstring, Gary Sheffield wasn't in the starting lineup here last night and doesn't have a firm target date to return. Manager Jerry...