Bochy angered by Hernandez's on-air comments  —  SAN DIEGO — Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez's comments that women "don't belong in the dugout" drew criticism Sunday from Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who supported the female member of his training staff and said he was surprised it even came up.

Padres beat Mets, 7-4  —  SAN DIEGO — The first ominous gong of "Hell's Bells" echoed around Petco Park yesterday at the top of the ninth inning, and that meant the end was near for the Mets.  —  Padres closer Trevor Hoffman appeared moments later, and it seemed fitting that Mike Cameron …

Twins socked by the Central  —  Chicago keeps Twins winless vs. division's elite with sweep  —  CHICAGO — For much of the past three days in Chicago, the Twins couldn't hit, couldn't pitch, couldn't squirm and couldn't breathe in the constrictor-like grip the Chicago White Sox put them in at U.S. Cellular Field.

Seeds of discontent brewing with A's  —  OAKLAND - The sunflower seeds hit the fan after the A's 4-3 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels of 90210.  —  More accurately, the seeds hit the dirt in front of the A's dugout.  Bags of them.  A whole five-gallon bucket of them …

Bonds: Passing Aaron not likely  —  Slugger can't strengthen lower body because of ailing knee  —  DENVER — That first homer of the season is out of the way, but even if only a few more are to come, Barry Bonds is satisfied.  And for the first time this weekend, the Giants slugger admitted …

The Hall will get the ball  —  Mientkiewicz ends feud with Red Sox  —  Doug Mientkiewicz is going to the Hall of Fame.  Well, at least the ball he caught that was the final out of the Red Sox's 2004 World Series championship is headed to Cooperstown.  —  The agreement with the Red Sox ends …

Kotchman Presents Quandary  —  OAKLAND — Darin Erstad has not begun taking ground balls at first base.  The Angels have not dispatched scouts to triple-A Salt Lake for the sole purpose of determining whether Kendry Morales is ready for the big leagues.  —  There is a limit to the leash …

Smulyan Promises Black President for Nats  —  Indianapolis media executive Jeffrey Smulyan said yesterday that he will name an African American as president of the Washington Nationals if Major League Baseball picks his investor group to own the team.  —  "It had been something we have talked …

'Spacey' performance falls flat  —  Lack of offensive punch, Rusch's wildness doom Cubs  —  ST. LOUIS — Dusty Baker charged his team with looking "kind of spacey" Saturday during a 4-1 loss to St. Louis.  —  Considering the Cubs had lost their best hitter for two to three months …

Rockies place 1B Helton on disabled list  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies still don't know for sure what's ailing slugger Todd Helton.  They just know they're going to be without him for a while.  —  The Rockies placed their star first baseman on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a stomach ailment.

Long ball nightmare in Reds' loss  —  Claussen hit hard as Cincy's winning streak snapped at three  —  MILWAUKEE — From his lofty perch above left field at Miller Park, mascot "Bernie Brewer" goes down a big yellow slide each time the Brewers hit a home run.

Eskandarian's Celebration: Question of Taste  —  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., April 22 — D.C. United enjoyed plenty of entertaining moments during its 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Giants Stadium, a result that kept the club undefeated after four matches and left its rivals still searching for a win.

Pirates Notebook: Bay just keeps on walking  —  HOUSTON — This was to be the summer Jason Bay finally had some protection, finally saw some pitches to hit.  —  So far, neither has happened.  —  On the protection front, Jeromy Burnitz and Joe Randa, signed as free agents to fit behind Bay in the order …

A new wrinkle  —  Tougher off-season training puts Maddux, 40, in prime condition  —  A man as economical with his words as with his pitches, Greg Maddux characteristically budgeted them when he approached noted Las Vegas physical therapist Keith Kleven last November.

Increased Workload Benefiting Foulke  —  TORONTO — The results aside, Keith Foulke is encouraged with the way he's pitching.  —  "I'm starting to put it together a little bit more even though it seems like every time I go out there I give up runs," Foulke said.