Inside

The Week In Sports

BASEBALL

Closers are having more trouble closing the deal • Phillies' Jim Thome continues to struggle • Locking up the young aces

MOTOR SPORTS

At 35, Greg Biffle emerges as a Nextel Cup front-runner • Can resurgent Michael Waltrip hold on to his DEI ride?

COLOR PHOTO

Photograph by Brad Mangin

THIRD AND SHORT

 Chicago's Chris Widger can't field the throw as the A's Eric Byrnes slides safely into the bag during Oakland's 2-1 victory over the White Sox on April 27.