Zambrano Puts Mets in Early Trouble Again  —  SAN DIEGO, April 23 — On four of five days, the Mets can, with relative certainty, expect their starting pitching to keep them in the game.  Then it is Victor Zambrano's turn.  It does not seem to matter where he pitches, who catches him or how potent the opposing lineup is.

Helton close to leaving hospital  —  Rockies cautiously optimistic about results  —  Rockies first baseman Todd Helton is expected to be released from a hospital today, with team officials hoping to learn a diagnosis of his severe abdominal pain tonight or Tuesday.

Maddux delivers a big cup of cheer  —  Cubs, 0-2 without Derrek Lee, halt skid as 40-year-old ace goes to 4-0  —  ST. LOUIS — Greg Maddux gave the Cubs a shot in the arm Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, curing them of the D-Lee Blues.  —  The 40-year-old Cubs' ace pitched seven shutout innings …

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.

Minor Matters: Breaking down hot starts  —  We are about two weeks into the minor league regular season, so let's break down some of the most impressive starts among prospects in the upper minor leagues.  —  Lastings Milledge  —  New York Mets  —  Milledge was recently rated THT's #15 prospect …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.