SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki signed a two-year contract extension Saturday that takes him through the 2004 season and includes an option for a third year. Terms were not disclosed.

        Sasaki joined the team Saturday from Yokohama, Japan, where he went Thursday after his wife, Kaori, became ill.

        Sasaki, 34, a right-hander, would have been eligible for free agency after this season. He has has given up only two unearned runs in 13 2/3 innings this season and seven saves in nine opportunities.

        Sasaki was the AL's rookie of the year in 2000 and set a major-league rookie mark with 37 saves. In 2001, he set a team record with 45 saves.

        EXPOS: Free agent Wil Cordero signed with the team Saturday. He was released by Cleveland on April 29 and has 999 career hits.

        BLUE JAYS: Right-hander Steve Parris, who had shoulder surgery in September, threw five no-hit innings in Dunedin, Fla. Right-hander Esteban Loaiza, recovering from a shoulder injury, threw on the sidelines and will rejoin the Jays Tuesday.

Reds 8, Cardinals 1 Reds box, runs Reds Q&A with John Fay DAUGHERTY: Austin's swinging has fans drooling Miller hits first, explains later Notes: At-bats getting better for Boone Cinergy Countdown No. 28: Sept. 1, 1997 Down on the farm Reds chatter Louisville 4, Syracuse 3 Baseball History - You could look it up Hermansen taking what might be last shot with Pirates MLB notebook NL roundup AL roundup John Fay's MLB power rankings Notes from Saturday's games

Kimmel claims 'Channel 5-155'
Speedway notebook
Brazilian force stays at front of pack
Fisher turns in fastest Indy qualifying time by woman
Junqueira takes pole at Indy
Four Big Ten teams headed to NCAA championships
Freshmen make Muskies matter
Michigan snags Big Ten tournament title
NKU baseball plays for GLVC title today
Kings 115, Mavericks 113, OT
Leafs' Tucker to miss rest of Battle of Ontario
Red Wings 4, Blues 0
Sharks 5, Avalanche 3
Baffert plots new strategy
Day Trader wins Matt Winn Stakes
Artistry of early baseball cards on display at Toledo museum
Maruyama hanging on at Byron Nelson
Patriots new home opens with soccer game
Sarah Hughes' whirlwind tour stops in Queen City
Trinidad stops Cherifi
Coming up this week
Page Two power rankings
NFL mothers find support in each other
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
NFL insider
Lakota East wins 2 games
Lloyd victory is school first
She's 'Mom' at home, 'Coach' on court
Group aims to create equity in new national equestrian league
Kentucky 12th Region tennis tournament
Saturday's results

• Return to Reds front page...