Agent: Crisp will crack Sox' lineup soon  —  PHILADELPHIA — Coco Crisp's return to the Red Sox lineup was set back when he required surgery last week to alleviate a painful kidney stone condition that developed complications.  But his agent said yesterday the center fielder has ''started …

New twist to old rivalry … ROCKVILLE // On one wall of David Cope's basement hangs an autographed color print of the late Baltimore Colts legend John Unitas.  On another is mounted a game ball from the first win in Ravens history.  —  Those particular sports items may be puzzling to those who know Cope …

Nationals go deep to down Cubs  —  Washington righty Ortiz notches first win of the season  —  CHICAGO — Whenever the Nationals win a game these days, manager Frank Robinson calls it big, because the victories have been few and far between.  Thursday's victory was, indeed …

Lerner Group Plans RFK 'Grand Reopening'  —  NEW YORK, May 18 — The Washington Nationals' new ownership group is planning a "grand reopening" of RFK Stadium on July 21 in an effort to show it is committed to improving the fan experience for a franchise struggling at the ticket gate.

Angels' Loss Raises Tempers  —  Erstad is heard in clubhouse yelling at teammates to not point fingers after team blows two chances to win during an 8-4, 10-inning loss to Toronto.  —  The tensions of a highly disappointing season and the frustration of one of the most excruciating …

Notes: Bannister leaves rehab start early  —  Right-hander throws just five pitches before tweaking his leg  —  ST. LOUIS — Twenty-two days after he strained his right hamstring, and one day after he tried to pitch in game for the first time since the original injury …

Pavano Says Right Arm Is Troubling Him Again  —  It has become as predictable as Mariano Rivera throwing cutters or Jason Giambi taking walks.  When Carl Pavano pitches, he gets hurt.  For almost a year now, that has been a near certainty.  —  Pavano, who was supposed to be the Yankees' No. 3 starter …

Twins notes: Gardenhire waiting to see if Lohse accepts demotion  —  DETROIT - One day after the Twins sent Kyle Lohse to Class AAA Rochester, manager Ron Gardenhire still hadn't heard if Lohse was planning to report.  —  "I can't see it not happening," Gardenhire said Thursday.  "I think he's got to."

Barajas boosts Rangers with his bat  —  NEW YORK - Here's something you haven't been able to say often, if at all, this season: Rod Barajas' bat played a huge role in a Rangers win.  —  Barajas did it with a bunt and a blast Thursday.  —  Barajas, who leads the team with three sacrifice hits …

Pedro prediction on right track  —  ST. LOUIS — Not long after signing with the Mets, Pedro Martinez predicted his new organization might not be the second citizen in the Big Apple much longer.  —  "After this season, I don't know if we'll be second," the ace proclaimed at the team's winter caravan in January 2005.

Pirates place unhappy Duffy on restricted list  —  PITTSBURGH — Outfielder Chris Duffy, unhappy the Pittsburgh Pirates tried to alter his hitting approach after a successful rookie season, was placed on the minor league restricted list Thursday after failing to report to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Reds pitcher continues verbal assault  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  Bronson Arroyo didn't back down Thursday from the disparaging comments he made against the Pirates one night earlier.  Instead, he stepped up and continued to assail his former team.  —  Arroyo, the losing pitcher …

Baseball Returns on Fox  —  Fox begins its 11th season of baseball coverage Saturday with four regional telecasts, including the Angels and Dodgers.  —  The announcers will be Kenny Albert and Steve Lyons and the game will be shown in 13% of the country.  —  To promote the start …

Former All-Star Belle arrested in stalking case  —  Former American League All-Star Albert Belle was arrested on a new stalking charge for allegedly making phone calls to a woman he already was charged with harassing.  —  The 39-year-old Belle was arrested by Scottsdale, Ariz. …

Overlooked O'Connor opens eyes … Mike O'Connor kept falling through baseball's cracks.  —  That's what happens when you're signpost skinny.  —  And your reach-back, try-and-hit-this heater sits at 87 mph.  And when you're overshadowed in high school by a future big league superstar.

New wall is far out, man  —  SELDOM DOES A man hurt most by change embrace it.  —  Chase Utley would have three more home runs had the Phillies not decided to move the leftfield wall at Citizens Bank Park back 5 feet, to 334 feet, and raise it 2 ½ feet, to 10 feet, 6 inches.