Inside: The Week In Sports

Baseball
Even with a $138 million payroll the Mets can't get on track, but manager Willie Randolph's job appears safe—for now • The Brewers aren't scoring enough: too many righthanded hitters?

Olympics
An Australian teen surprises Natalie Coughlin, but the U.S. swimmer remains confident she will prevail in Beijing • Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius gets the go-ahead for a qualifying bid

Motor Sports
Richard Childress Racing, a consistent if not aggressive finisher, puts new financial backing to work in a bid to keep up with the big boys • Five drivers who are due for a win in a Cup points race

BUBBLING OVER
In the backstroke, at least, Aaron Peirsol owns Michael Phelps; Peirsol topped his American teammate again last Saturday, setting a meet record of 1:55.81 for 200 meters at the Toyota Grand Prix in Santa Clara, Calif.

PHOTO

Photograph by Peter Read Miller