Mets-Padres Preview  —  Pedro Martinez will try to start the season with four straight wins for the first time since 2000 when the New York Mets meet the San Diego Padres in the third of four games at Petco Park.  —  Six years ago, Martinez opened the season with five wins in a row while with the Boston Red Sox .

Sox relinquish late lead  —  The Red Sox gave American League pitchers another glipse of their powerful might on Friday, launching four homers, including two from Manny Ramirez.  But despite the offensive fireworks, Josh Beckett and Boston's bullpen faltered late, capped …

Texas Rangers  —  Did Rangers discover themselves out West?  —  In My Opinion  —  ARLINGTON - Between catnaps, Buck Showalter stared out the window into the darkness during the Rangers' four-hour plane ride home from Seattle on Thursday night, searching for answers he knew he wouldn't find in the stars.

Cautious Rothschild keeps Wood out of rookie contest  —  ST. LOUIS — The last thing the Cubs needed Thursday in the wake of finding out that Derrek Lee's right wrist was broken was to hear that Kerry Wood couldn't pitch that day in a rookie game in Arizona because of muscle tightness.

Giles Hits, Blum Slides and Padres Win in 14th  —  SAN DIEGO, April 21 — The only greater mystery than Carlos Beltrán's injury status Friday was how the Mets could solve the Padres' pitching.  —  The Mets learned the first answer in the seventh inning.  They are still waiting for the second.

Bonds hitless as Giants blow lead in loss  —  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Rockies won one for their ailing slugger.  —  Garrett Atkins' run-scoring single capped a four-run rally in the ninth inning, lifting the Rockies over the San Francisco Giants 9-8 on Friday night.

Reds try to win their fourth straight  —  Cincinnati (11-6) at Milwaukee (8-9), 2:05 p.m. ET  —  Winners of four of their last five, including two in a row over the Brewers, the Reds will seek to claim their four-game series with another win on Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.

Anna laughs last at Mets  —  Anna Benson was so nervous last night watching her husband Kris pitch against the Yankees at the Stadium that she put an impromptu interview on hold for half an inning.  All topics were taboo at first, including the Mets, the trade of her husband to Baltimore, her recent divorce filing and her followers.

Pirates fall as rally comes up short  —  Duke gives up three runs over six; Bay hits fourth home run  —  HOUSTON — The clutch hit.  The crucial pitch.  The defensive gem .  The heads-up play.  A combination of all of the above.  —  Whatever it is that separates winning teams …