2-team battle turning 1-sided  —  Sox's superiority applies pressure to Cubs—on the field, at the turnstiles, in the public eye  —  Forgive Chris Singleton for not knowing the whereabouts of Kid K, Kerry Wood, the Cubs' supposed ace abducted from the pitching rotation by injury yet again this spring.

Quick with a call  —  It's a fast decision on postponement  —  The Red Sox acted quickly to call off last night's game with the Texas Rangers, sending out word around 1 p.m. that the game was postponed because of rain, wet conditions, and the forecast for much more of the same.

Notes: Bannister throws simulated game  —  Righty could be ready to return as soon as Thursday in St. Louis  —  MILWAUKEE — Brian Bannister pitched five innings in a simulated game on Saturday, and the team was encouraged by his performance.  —  Depending on how he feels in the coming days …

The next big thing  —  Mets have ace in the hole in Pelfrey  —  It all sounds too good to be true.  He hears it from everyone, all dropping an ear-popping sound bite he can't help but notice, and yet it's still hard to absorb.  —  He's a can't-miss talent with size and strength and a head still straight.

Lima Has Searched for Excuses, Not in Mirror  —  MILWAUKEE, May 13 — A twinkle of kindness, ever so briefly, flashed in José Lima's steely green eyes.  The subject was Prince Fielder, the strapping young first baseman for Milwaukee.  Lima has known Fielder for years, first as a smiling …

Bonds's pursuit of Ruth: Do you care?  —  No. It's important for papers like the Globe to document Barry's numbers, but few of us want to be associated with this joyless and fraudulent pursuit of time-honored records.  The best opinions on this would be those from the likes of Willie Mays …

Pedro gets call as Mets try to win series  —  New York (23-13) at Milwaukee (18-19), 2:05 p.m. ET  —  How things change so quickly in baseball.  —  When the Mets blew a four-run lead late in Saturday night's game against Milwaukee, it appeared they could be headed towards losing only their third series of the year.

Struggling Sturtze sent to disabled list  —  Soreness in front of right shoulder shelves Yankees reliever  —  NEW YORK — Tanyon Sturtze, who isn't exactly in his manager's good graces, is on the 15-day disabled list.  —  The Yankees shelved the struggling right-hander due to soreness …

A feast of data, with a slight glaze  —  On my ninth birthday, I was given a book, ''Modern Baseball Strategy" by famed manager Paul Richards.  After reading how games are managed, and how lineups are constructed, I came away thinking the two absolute coolest things in the universe …

Rick Hummel's Around The Horn: Herzog laments Royals' plight  —  No, Whitey Herzog said he hasn't heard from the Kansas City Royals about performing any consulting duties and no, Royals owner David Glass, who has suggested sweeping changes, says he hasn't called Herzog.

Tickled pink on Mom's day  —  Breast cancer hits home for Oliver  —  MILWAUKEE - Darren Oliver won't be swinging a pink bat - he's a pitcher - but he gladly would wear a pink glove today.  Or anything else that would help call attention to breast cancer.  —  Major League Baseball's decision …

Rockies plant seed of speed in farm system  —  Forget about the Blake Street Bombers returning as the trademark of the Rockies organization.  The Blake Street Blazers are taking over.  —  It's going to become the Runnin' Rockies if the rush that is forming in the lower part of the farm system continues to head toward Coors Field.

Show Dusty the door if he can't do more  —  It's not a matter of if but of when Dusty Baker will be offered a contract extension that will keep him managing the Cubs beyond what is shaping up to be an awful 2006 season.  —  General manager Jim Hendry seems poised to make the move as soon …

Notes: Schneider goes on 15-day DL  —  Starting catcher sidelined with nagging hamstring injury  —  ATLANTA — The Nationals placed catcher Brian Schneider on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, retroactive to May 11, because of a left hamstring strain, and they recalled catcher …

Notes: Salmon reaches career milestone  —  Slugger eclipses 1,000 RBIs; Colon's progress 'encouraging'  —  ANAHEIM — When Tim Salmon stepped into the batter's box to face Jarrod Washburn in Saturday night's game with the Mariners, at least two story lines were bound to converge.

Notes: Lefty Shouse added to bullpen  —  Brewers deal for southpaw specialist from Texas  —  MILWAUKEE — For the first time in his three-plus seasons as Brewers manager, Ned Yost has a left-handed answer for the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Edmonds and Jacque Jones.