Lima takes start hoping the end is nowhere near  —  ST. LOUIS - Jose Lima returns to the mound for this afternoon's series finale with the Cardinals, trying to prove he belongs in the rotation after going 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA in starts against Atlanta and Milwaukee.

Hot spots, cold spots (cont.)  —  Take a look at Adrian Beltre and Juan Encarnacion.  While Beltre would have been included with the All-Stars back in 2004, his current chart looks nothing like any of the top power hitters.  He still covers the upper half of the plate pretty well but has trouble with anything low.

Sox can't steal a sweep  —  Harris misses sign, thrown out stealing at second to end game  —  BALTIMORE — Willie Harris is the consummate role player.  Perhaps his most important duty for the Red Sox is to utilize his speed when given the call in the late innings.  —  In his mind, this was the ultimate chance.

Brewers win third straight in final at-bat  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Phillies decided to make someone other than Bill Hall beat them, and Geoff Jenkins was ready to give Milwaukee another win in dramatic fashion.  —  Jenkins' RBI single with two outs in the ninth gave the Brewers …

Notes: Ramirez has left shoulder strain  —  Shortstop expected to be ready for Interleague set with Rays  —  ATLANTA — An MRI performed on Wednesday confirmed that shortstop Hanley Ramirez has a left shoulder strain that will require a couple days' rest.  —  Ramirez said that he felt …

Pavano forced from rehab start  —  Ailing right-hander cites tightness in right triceps area  —  NEW YORK — Carl Pavano's comeback to the Yankees appears to be on hold once again.  —  Pavano, making his third rehab start on Wednesday, the second for Double-A Trenton …

Trachsel looks to win again vs. Cards  —  New York Mets (24-14) at St. Louis (24-15), 8:10 p.m. ET  —  If Steve Trachsel beats the Cardinals on Wednesday night, he will have a .500 winning percentage in his five-plus seasons with Mets.  A 54-54 record may be no great accomplishment …

Notes: Luna, Taguchi get starts vs. lefty  —  With Glavine on the mound, La Russa adjusts lineup  —  ST. LOUIS — For much of Tom Glavine's career, he's been that rarest of creatures — a left-hander who is as tough on right-handed hitters as on his own kind.  That's changed, ever so slightly, this season.

Notes: Davies will need surgery  —  Right-hander diagnosed with torn groin muscles  —  ATLANTA — As the Braves feared, Kyle Davies will miss a significant amount of time.  Just how much time the right-handed starter misses will be better understood after he undergoes surgery on his torn right groin.

Weaver Finds Source of Woes  —  Jeff Weaver is like the struggling batter trying to hit a three-run home run with no one on base or go five for four to lift his average.  He gets into a jam — and there have been many in a highly disappointing season, in which the Angel right-hander is 1-6 …

Penny, Dodgers Edge Rockies in Pitchers' Duel, 3-2  —  DENVER — Since the Colorado Rockies began treating baseballs like fine cigars, games at Coors Field are taking on subtle qualities appreciated by connoisseurs of the national pastime.  —  The balls sit in a humidor for months before being used …

Nats Get One Hit In Another Shutout  —  CHICAGO, May 17 — Get out the thesaurus and try to think up some words to describe what these Washington Nationals are going through.  You might find something fancy and poetic, perhaps even tragic.  Jose Vidro, their veteran second baseman, can strip all that down and make it mighty simple.

Notes: Prior to make first rehab start  —  Cubs players hope to get Wrigley fans back on their side  —  CHICAGO — Mark Prior will start for the Cubs' Rookie League team on Friday, as he continues his rehab from a strained muscle in his right shoulder.  —  Prior was expected to throw …

Angels hit roadblock in Jays rookie  —  Offense held to a mere two hits off SoCal native Janssen  —  ANAHEIM — Casey Janssen handcuffed the Angels as they lost a 3-0 decision to the Blue Jays in front of 38,767 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium to even the series at a game apiece.

Kazmir emerges as Devil Rays ace  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Scott Kazmir might be the first starting pitcher the Tampa Bay Devil Rays can get excited about.  —  Kazmir won a career-best fourth consecutive decision when he beat the Chicago White Sox 10-7 Tuesday night …