Rangers' Matthews adds pop to the top  —  Outfielder knows he doesn't fit the mold, and he doesn't want to  —  ARLINGTON - Outfielder Gary Matthews said he can't be the prototypical leadoff hitter.  Manager Buck Showalter doesn't want him to be.  —  "I'm not going to steal 50 bases …

Mets get hit for walks to Barry  —  Alou drives in five after 2 free passes  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds didn't beat the Mets last night.  Bonds' protection in the Giants' lineup did the damage instead.  —  Moises Alou belted a three-run homer off Tom Glavine after a first-inning intentional walk …

Kennedy Welcomes Kendrick's Arrival  —  It can be a little awkward when the guy who has been tabbed to take your job shows up at the office unexpectedly, all eager and excited to work, as second base prospect Howie Kendrick did Monday after the Angels called him up from triple-A Salt Lake City …

Jones blasts HR, does same to fans  —  After hitting the game-winning, three-run home run against the Florida Marlins on Monday night at Wrigley Field, Jacque Jones unleashed some pent-up anger over the rough treatment he has received in his first month as a Cub.  —  "I'm angry right now, you know what I mean?"

Ramirez, Reds victorious in D.C.  —  Spot starter has an 'E.Z.' time against the Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — Called up from Triple-A Louisville, Elizardo Ramirez made a spot start for a 4-2 Reds win over the Nationals on Monday that often seemed to go a lot like his nickname.  —  "E.Z."

Diamondbacks-Padres Preview  —  With Mike Cameron having joined the lineup and Josh Barfield showing promise, the San Diego Padres hope to get their offense rolling as they open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday at Petco Park.  —  Cameron made his debut for the Padres …

Strike zone lost in a Fogg  —  Philadelphia - The Rockies arrived in Philadelphia with a reputation for causing trouble.  They left a trail of arguments and ejections at home, with seemingly everyone but George Mitchell investigating them.  —  Have the Rockies, a team constructed around good character players, become the bad boys?

No-dancing zone  —  Up next: 7:10 tonight vs. Pittsburgh, FSN Midwest  —  CARPENTER GRINDS OUT WIN: Despite allowing an uncharacteristic five-hit inning,  —  the righthander picks up his third victory.  —  St. Louis Post-Dispatch  —  Albert Pujols came clean Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Manning Jr. charged with assault in L.A.  —  The man the Bears are counting on to solve their secondary woes has his own problems right now.  —  Ricky Manning Jr., whom the Bears signed to an offer sheet worth as much as $21 million Friday, was arrested shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday in Los Angeles …

Soriano making news with play  —  Was it really only a month ago Alfonso Soriano refused to take the field with the rest of the Washington Nationals?  How quickly times change.  —  Sure enough, five weeks ago today, Frank Robinson put Soriano's name in the lineup as his starting left fielder …

Pierre, Willis set for friendly duel  —  CHICAGO — It was a ritual between two close friends in the three years they were Marlins teammates: On the days after he pitched, Dontrelle Willis would throw in the outfield to Juan Pierre.  —  Pierre, an outfielder, took it so seriously …

Mets' Matsui Does Enough to Intrigue, but Not Enough to Impress  —  SAN FRANCISCO, April 24 — The images of Kazuo Matsui swatting homers, bumbling grounders and lying on a training table have blended to produce an enigmatic tableau.  —  In his short major league career …

Rox make a playful pitch to land Clemens  —  There's a new team making a powerful bid in the Roger Clemens sweepstakes — the independent (and independent-thinking) Brockton Rox.  —  The minor league team announced yesterday it is pulling out all the stops to get Clemens's name on a contract …

Braves unable to back Davies  —  Right-hander gives up three runs in seven solid innings  —  MILWAUKEE — Kyle Davies once again proved why the Braves believe he's something special.  As for the game of baseball, it reminded the young hurler it can often be cruel.