Mets blame it on the rain, Rowand  —  Phils can thank Aaron for victory in 4 1/2  —  PHILADELPHIA - The Mets lost only their second series this season.  It took bloodshed and rain to deliver that blow.  —  Aaron Rowand caught Xavier Nady's bases-loaded shot at the base of the wall …

A Broken Wrist Ends Matsui's Streak  —  On one gruesome play in the first inning at Yankee Stadium last night, a streak ended and a problem intensified.  —  Hideki Matsui, the Yankees' left fielder who had played in 1,768 consecutive games, fractured his left wrist while trying to catch …

It All Swings Wrong Way For Nationals  —  After Washington Takes Lead in Top of 11th, Griffey Hits Three-Run Homer in Bottom Half: Reds 5, Nationals 4  —  CINCINNATI, May 11 — It was the kind of swing that replays on television screens and in minds for the rest of the night …

Damon to deal with pain  —  Johnny Damon streaked back to the center field wall, leaped at the 408-foot marker and snared Doug Mirabelli's drive as the ball appeared to be going over the fence for a two-run homer.  —  The spectacular play in the fourth inning was one of two highlight-reel catches …

Live Arm Puts Pelfrey on Mets' Fast Track  —  BINGHAMTON, N.Y., May 9 — Deep in the heart of the bushes, in upstate New York, a tall, lean young man in a Mets uniform stood on a pitcher's mound.  —  The ballpark was cozy, a third full with about 2,000 fans present on a pleasant Tuesday evening.

Infection sends Chavez to hospital  —  A's notebook  —  TORONTO — A's third baseman Eric Chavez missed his third straight game with what the team is calling a bacterial infection.  —  He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital on Thursday morning, receiving IV fluids and undergoing a blood test …

Koronka deal pays big dividends  —  ARLINGTON — John Koronka's wife, Ashlee, had things figured out long before he did.  She kept telling him that he was going to wind up in Texas with the Rangers.  —  Ashlee had been predicting that Koronka would play for the Rangers since he was a Rule 5 pick of theirs in December 2002.

Column: Well, at least Bonds can still hit  —  SAN FRANCISCO —Barry Bonds still uncoils at the plate like a striking cobra.  Unfortunately, he plays left field like a hippopotamus looking for a good mud bath.  —  For one day, or even one historic homestand, it hardly matters.

Friars open series in Chicago  —  San Diego (19-16) at Chicago (15-19) 11:20 a.m. PT  —  The Padres hit the road for nine games, taking their sparkling record in May with them.  —  First up on the trip are the Cubs at Wrigley Field, a team the Padres swept in a four-game series last week at PETCO Park.

M's down, but not out  —  TACOMA — The Rainiers clubhouse is cozy and crammed full Thursday afternoon.  Two players sit at a rickety table playing checkers.  Another microwaves instant noodles and eats them with a plastic fork.  —  This is not the big leagues, not The Show …

Rangers replace Triple-A manager  —  Texas also swaps minor-leaguers with San Diego  —  It was quiet on the major league front for the Rangers on Thursday, but they sent tremors through their struggling Triple-A Oklahoma club.  —  Manager Tim Ireland, still serving a 10-game suspension …