Middle men run hot, cold  —  Iguchi, Uribe above average in own ways at second and short  —  ANAHEIM — They were new to each other, yet worked well together last year.  —  This April represents a different story, but the White Sox anticipate a happy ending for second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and shortstop Juan Uribe.

Dodgers drop heartbreaker to Padres  —  Bullpen unable to hold five-run lead in ninth for effective Lowe  —  SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers bullpen, having survived elbow operations to Eric Gagne and Yhency Brazoban in less than a month, finally melted down in spectacular fashion on Sunday.

No sweep, but showing dust to East  —  Trachsel can't take Game 3, but Mets hold 6-game division lead  —  ATLANTA — The last time the Mets swept a three-game series in Atlanta, Jimmy Carter was president, not merely another celebrity fan who stops by Turner Field occasionally to do the Tomahawk Chop.

Sox fans should cheer Damon now, boo later  —  Really, this isn't so complicated: Red Sox fans should cheer Johnny Damon when he returns to Fenway Park on Monday night, then treat him the same way they will every other Yankee over the next four years.  —  Which is to say, boo him.  —  Loudly.

Notes: Parties call feud imaginary  —  Scioscia, Guillen talk; Gregg to start in Escobar's spot  —  ANAHEIM — Manager Mike Scioscia and his White Sox counterpart buried a non-existent hatchet Sunday morning.  —  The two managers spoke on the phone from their respective clubhouses …

Report: Garcia violates IBAF drug policy  —  Venezuela paper claims positive test for marijuana at Classic  —  According to the Venezuelan daily newspaper Lider, Chicago White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia violated the International Baseball Amateur Federation anti-doping policy when marijuana …

Notes: Hermida on fast track to return  —  Girardi says rookie outfielder could be activated Wednesday  —  MIAMI — After making progress running, Jeremy Hermida's return to the lineup may be faster than first projected.  —  Encouraged by pregame drills Saturday, the Marlins on Sunday …

Notes: Rodriguez dropping appeal  —  Reliever to serve three-game suspension starting Monday  —  ST. LOUIS — After Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nationals reliever Felix Rodriguez said he was dropping his appeal and will serve his three-game suspension, which would start against the Mets on Monday.

Mini-Meet-up/Rainiers Double Header  —  Sunday was a day of stark contrasts - between great pitching and stomach-turning defense.  Between the two-true-outcomes of Dallas McPherson and the smoke and mirrors act of Cha Seung Baek.  Between the perverse pleasure in stealing a game you've got …

Notes: A's to hold meeting on Monday  —  Pitching issues at the forefront of discussion topics  —  KANSAS CITY — The Esteban Loaiza situation in particular, and the Athletics pitching overall, will be addressed on Monday in a meeting with general manager Billy Beane in Anaheim.

A Walk May Not Be as Good as a Hit  —  Albert Pujols has a problem, and National League pitchers have little sympathy.  —  After hitting six home runs in four games April 15-18 for the Cardinals, he has been intentionally walked four times in key situations.

It's Not Loretta's Month  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta has struck out once every 17.5 plate appearances, one of the best ratios in the American League.  So he has lived up to his reputation as a contact hitter.  —  But putting the ball in play hasn't produced results.

Dodgers-Padres Preview  —  The San Diego Padres are desperate for some offense.  A win would also be welcome.  —  They'll look to end a five-game losing streak when they wrap up a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on Sunday.  —  The Padres (8-15) …