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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

Notes: Matsui impresses in return  —  Second baseman's defense gives skipper options  —  ATLANTA — Kaz Matsui hasn't been an overwhelming force since he replaced injured Anderson Hernandez at second base last week.  But he has performed well in his first seven games …

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) …

I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost  —  Ninth inning, nobody out, Chipper Jones on first after David Wright kicked away a tough ground ball.  —  Gary — perfectly understandably, and properly — was talking about how this was the kind of game that historically had gotten away from the Mets at Turner Field.