Comments are not a hit with Kazmir  —  Tampa Bay lefthander Scott Kazmir didn't care for comments Curt Schilling made this week on WEEI radio, when Boston's ace said the reason the Red Sox and Devil Rays have had numerous bench-clearing incidents is because of Kazmir ''hitting multiple batters every time he threw against us.

For Marshall, it's back to the basics  —  Rookie lefty needs innings to build confidence, stamina  —  LOS ANGELES — The education of Sean Marshall continued Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, where the 23-year-old Cubs left-hander was seeking his second major-league victory.

Chat transcript: Cordero is still the Rangers' man  —  Evan Grant: Well, I'm here.  Barely.  Long game made for a long night.  I've got the Eggs Benedict heading up the room and prepared to answer all your wide-ranging questions.  But let me guess, you want to talk some Francisco Cordero, don't you?

Cox again has ace in hole  —  Hudson helps throw Mets off  —  When you're Bobby Cox, proud of all the Atlanta Braves have stood for these past 14 seasons and uncompromisingly loyal to the players who made it so, it doesn't get much better than this.  —  Before his Braves provided another reminder …

Veteran pitchers blow it for Nats  —  PHILADELPHIA — They are two of Frank Robinson's most trusted pitchers, veteran left-handers who during their careers have gotten the job done more often than not.  —  And that's what made the Washington Nationals' 7-6, 10-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies so painful last night.

Zambrano looks clueless in defeat  —  NEW YORK — Welcome to Victor Zambrano's world, where winning streaks and early April optimism go to die.  —  Gone, in five miserable innings, was the Mets' perfect aura, the one that turned a midweek series with the Braves into a miniature October showdown.

Q&A with Rangers' Kameron Loe  —  After posting a 9-6 record with a 3.42 ERA in 48 appearances (including eight starts) with Texas in 2005, 25-year-old right-hander Kameron Loe earned a spot in the Rangers rotation this season.  Loe, who features a fastball, heavy sinker, slurve and changeup …

Greinke takes step toward mound  —  For Zack Greinke, there's no schedule or projected return date.  Just hope.  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Zack Greinke is alone, something that seems to both comfort and frighten him.  The normally busy baseball facility has gone silent.

Kaz gets second chance  —  Kaz Matsui's return to the Mets - and to their starting lineup - has arrived faster than the team anticipated.  Rookie replacement Anderson Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI yesterday revealed he has a bulging disk in his lower back.

Notes: Jones ready to be activated  —  Leyland to ease veteran closer into role  —  OAKLAND — All that's left for Todd Jones now is to wait.  —  After throwing about 23 pitches on Wednesday afternoon in his second simulated game, Jones' work was finished.

Guzman Headed for Rehab Assignment  —  PHILADELPHIA, April 19 — Shortstop Cristian Guzman is recovering from his shoulder injury, and the Washington Nationals might send their former starter to extended spring training on a rehabilitation assignment this weekend.  —  "I feel much better," Guzman said.

Low-Scoring Victory: Yanks and Mussina Tweak Template  —  TORONTO, April 19 — Since the first game of the season, the Yankees had established a pattern.  Every time they won, they scored at least nine runs.  Every time they lost, they scored no more than five.

Under The Knife  —  Expert  —  I'm often introduced as a "baseball expert."  I always chuckle, because to me, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.  Every discovery, every analysis, every set of data leads to new conclusions and often just as many questions as answers.

Pavano could throw batting practice Fri.  —  TAMPA, Fla. —New York Yankees starter Carl Pavano could throw batting practice Friday for the first time since he bruised his left buttocks last month.  —  He hasn't faced hitters since pitching one inning in a minor league spring training game on March 30.

Girardi rips into team for blunders  —  CINCINNATI — Finally, Joe Girardi had enough.  —  "That's embarrassing,'' said the Marlins manager after a sloppy 9-8 loss to the Reds on Wednesday. "  We can't keep making mistakes.  Seventeen days in, we can't keep making the same mistakes.