Dontrelle is the answer  —  The Victor Zambrano news doesn't really strike a blow to the Mets.  It simply creates a void, and a silver lining: It underscores what they must do to carry out their impressive beginning.  —  Just as they thought last winter, the Mets will need another frontline starting pitcher …

Who's on first?  Doumit sparks Pirates' victory  —  Bay's home run in 11th, perfect bullpen beats Nationals, 5-4  —  WASHINGTON — It took 31 games and 23 losses, but the Pirates finally found that panic button.  —  And, at 7:11 p.m. yesterday, they pushed it with both hands.

Notes: 'Super Joe' back in the bigs  —  Versatile utilityman gets the call after Burke is injured  —  DENVER — The turnaround time between Joe McEwing finding out that he was called up to the big leagues and his arrival in the visitor's clubhouse in Denver on Sunday morning was only about eight hours …

Rox wrap up 4-1 homestand  —  Cook yields two runs and six hits in eight-plus innings  —  Rockies starter Aaron Cook, above, delivers a pitch to Houston's Lance Berkman during the first inning on Sunday at Coors Field in Denver.  The Rockies won 5-3 to complete a 4-1 homestand.  (AP / David Zalubowski)

Phillies run winning streak to eight  —  Burrell, Rowand go deep to support Lieber's effective outing  —  PHILADELPHIA — In a three-game series that featured 12 home runs, you have to figure Barry Bonds would hit one.  —  Did he ever.  —  "I was trying to get my lips off the floor," …

Notes: Matthews reinjures right quad  —  Teixeira's streak continues; Shouse visits with teammates  —  ARLINGTON — Center fielder and leadoff hitter Gary Matthews Jr. was forced out of the Texas Rangers' lineup Sunday after straining his tender right quadriceps again.

Royals are far from a K.C. masterpiece  —  Royals general manager Allard Baird is a goner, and deservedly so.  But let's see who owner David Glass hires as the team's next GM.  Let's see if Glass continues to nickel-and-dime his baseball operation while receiving tens of millions in welfare payments from Major League Baseball.

Notes: Pierre familiar with pressure  —  Speedster says struggles are not result of trying too hard  —  SAN DIEGO — Juan Pierre says he's not pressing and that he's not trying to do too much to impress his new team.  —  "I just stink," Pierre said before Sunday's Chicago Cubs game against the San Diego Padres.

Barry was Barry, even in college  —  Editor's note: The following is adapted from Jeff Pearlman's new book, "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero," copyright (c) 2006 by Jeff Pearlman.  Excerpted by permission of HarperCollins.  All rights reserved.

Wagner's comments upset Phillies  —  Club's former closer felt Phils teammates were against him  —  PHILADELPHIA — "Bring on Billy boy."  —  Those words, uttered by manager Charlie Manuel as he concluded his daily media session on Sunday, said it all.  Forget the fact that the Giants …

Mariners outfielder frustrated by lack of playing time  —  SEATTLE — Frustrated by a lack of playing time, veteran outfielder Matt Lawton said Sunday he asked the Mariners to release him.  —  Lawton approached Seattle's front office late last month after having started just one game all season …

Sox sweep Orioles with win, 10-3  —  BOSTON - Jason Varitek hit a grand slam and the Boston Red Sox beat Baltimore 10-3 Sunday to tie a franchise record with their 11th consecutive win over the Orioles.  —  Lenny DiNardo pitched five sharp innings to earn his first career victory.