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.

Braves can't wrap up sweep  —  Fifth-inning error by LaRoche leads to four runs for Washington  —  ATLANTA — Adam LaRoche fielded the two-out grounder with the same ease that he has every other routine play he's made throughout his playing career.  Unfortunately his next few steps were made in his occassionally lackadaisical manner.

'That's not how I operate'  —  Kevin McClatchy says he has no immediate plans to step down from his post as managing general partner of the Pirates.  But he also does not want to grow old and gray on the job.  —  "I don't think I'll own the team in 15 or 20 years," he said.  "If I did, I think it would kill me.

Indians send RHP Karsay to Athletics  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians traded right-hander Steve Karsay to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday for an undisclosed amount of cash.  —  Karsay, signed to a minor-league contract in December, has a career record of 31-39 with 41 saves …

The Incredibly Shrinking NL East Lead  —  There may be hope for Willie yet...  What were the odds of this?  —  Xavier Nady, 0-17 on the season with two outs and runners in scoring position, came to bat in the top of the 9th against Mr Automatic Bobblehead with two outs and Delgado perched on third, the Mets down by a run.

Tracy With The Dodgers: An Interview With Dodger Math  —  UPDATE: Bumped.  Be sure to check out a new post on Craig Wilson's homers below. … BUCS DUGOUT: Let me begin by telling you why I'm upset.  Here's a list of some decisions Jim Tracy has made since becoming Pirates manager just months ago.

The Weather Was Fine, and the Home Runs Were Easy  —  Kevin Mench of Texas hit seven home runs in April.  He had 10 through Friday.  —  Three weeks ago, when major leaguers were bashing baseballs at paces unseen since the so-called Steroid Era, conspiracy theorists wanted the deep flies explained by a Deep Throat.

White Sox Coach Gets Nothing but Results  —  WHILE the Yankees struggle with their aging, injured and flawed corps of starting pitchers, the Chicago White Sox flourish with theirs.  And who can they thank for helping build their corps?  The Yankees.  —  The Yankees, impatient and dissatisfied …

Cards Insider: Team earns "fair" for early grade  —  Thursday, the Cardinals will play their 40th game, reaching the season's quarter pole.  Although early, the schedule's mile marker represents a legitimate point for evaluation.  Everyday players have reached 100 at-bats.

Roberts' return put off until Friday  —  Roberts' return put off until Friday  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles will have to go a little bit longer without injured second baseman Brian Roberts, who has abandoned his bid to leave the disabled list after a minimum 15-day absence.

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 …

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 …