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 …

Cordero Answers The Call  —  Nationals' Closer, Bullpen Salvages Finale in Chicago: Nationals 5, Cubs 3  —  CHICAGO, May 18 — With the tying runs on base and the winning run at the plate, Frank Robinson stepped out of the visitors' dugout Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field to pay a visit to his closer …

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.

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 …

Agent talks trade for first baseman: Club catches Snow's drift  —  PHILADELPHIA - The Red Sox have indicated to J.T. Snow that they will look into trading him, the seldom-used first baseman's agent said yesterday.  —  "Both sides have been talking, everyone - J.T., Tito (manager Terry Francona) …

Mets in starter trouble  —  Lima rocked, Bannister suffers setback  —  ST. LOUIS - An hour after Willie Randolph acknowledged that Brian Bannister figured to bump Jose Lima or Jeremi Gonzalez from the roster, the rookie pitcher suffered a setback that prevents an imminent return.

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.

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 …

Hansen starting to hone his skills  —  Possibilities endless for power pitcher  —  Jonathan Papelbon, cast in the minors as a workhorse starting pitcher, leads the major leagues in saves with 14.  Craig Hansen, the reliever billed last summer and this spring as the Red Sox' future closer …

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.

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. …