Padres-Cubs Preview  —  Mike Piazza isn't putting up numbers like he used to, but the All-Star catcher has certainly made a difference for the San Diego Padres against the Chicago Cubs during their weekend series.  —  The Padres look to complete a season sweep of the Cubs on Sunday …

Red Sox, Rangers washed out again  —  BOSTON — For the second straight day and the third time this month, heavy rains have washed out a game at Fenway Park.  —  The Mother's Day contest was postponed due to the weather system that has parked itself over New England, dumping over five inches of rain in many areas.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Colorado squeaks past Houston  —  Rockies snap seven-game losing streak at Minute Maid Park  —  HOUSTON — Rookie reliever Ramon Ramirez hadn't experienced much of the Rockies' messy history at Minute Maid Park.  But he knew enough to get that sinking feeling when the Astros' Craig Biggio connected …

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 …

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 …