Steve Howe dies at 48  —  Steve Howe, the relief pitcher whose promising career was derailed by cocaine and alcohol abuse, died Friday when his pickup truck rolled over in Coachella, Calif. He was 48.  —  Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PDT, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office.

Chi Cubs 6, Milwaukee 2  —  Chi Cubs 6, Milwaukee 2  —  CHICAGO (AP) — New territory for Greg Maddux.  At age 40, he's 5-0 for the first time in his long and distinguished career.  —  Twice facing bases-loaded jams, Maddux escaped the big inning Friday to win his fifth straight start …

Rangers to add Tejeda to rotation  —  Right-hander will be called up to start Tuesday  —  CLEVELAND — The Rangers continue to rework their pitching staff and are planning to call up right-hander Robinson Tejeda so he can join the rotation, club officials said Friday.

Minor League umpires to end season-long strike  —  Union expected to approve new six-year agreement on Sunday  —  Minor League umpires are returning to a ballpark near you soon.  —  MiLB.com has learned that the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation (PBUC) reached a tentative six-year agreement …

Mets minor leaguer is first player penalized under toughened major league rules  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Mets minor league pitcher Yusaku Iriki was suspended for 50 games Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, making him the first player to be penalized under Major League Baseball's toughened steroid rules.

Nationals place right-handed pitcher John Patterson on 15-day disabled list  —  Righthander Zach Day activated to 25-man roster  —  The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher John Patterson on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to April 22, with a right forearm strain.

Giants put Durham on disabled list  —  Infielder Frandsen brought up from Triple-A Fresno  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants purchased the contract of hot-hitting Triple-A infielder Kevin Frandsen on Friday to replace second baseman Ray Durham, who has been put on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

BALCO supplier of 'the clear' pleads guilty  —  BALCO supplier of 'the clear' pleads guilty  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A noted scientist in the field of sports nutritional supplements pleaded guilty Friday to supplying the BALCO lab with the performance-enhancing drug known as "the clear."

Braves get new network, broadcast team  —  Rathbun, Torborg to call games as Turner South changes  —  ATLANTA — Braves fans who watch the team's games on television will be able to do less channel surfing, but also will have to get used to the announcers they'll see and hear when Fox Cable Networks takes control of Turner South.

Voting begins for All-Star Game  —  77th annual Midsummer Classic set for July 11 at PNC Park  —  Life in 1933: Construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge, the original "King Kong" premiered, the chocolate chip cookie was invented and a midsummer extravaganza called the "Game of the Century" …

Live Discussion with Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell … | Search Archives  —  washingtonpost.com > Live Discussions  —  Thomas Boswell  —  Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell was online Friday, April 28, at 11 a.m. ET to take your questions and comments about the Washington Nationals …