Cubs catcher 'irritated' when Pierzynski walked toward him  —  MICHAEL BARRETT  —  Well before A.J. Pierzynski plowed into Michael Barrett on Saturday and ignited the city series' first brawl, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was scooping up dirt outside his dugout and throwing it at Henry Blanco …

Yanks win Day Two  —  Down by four runs and facing a blazing closer, the New York Yankees sure seemed to be in trouble.  —  Then again, startling comebacks are nothing new for this team.  Not this week, anyway.  —  Johnny Damon hustled to beat a double-play relay that capped a four-run rally …

Huff, Rays walk-off in style  —  Trailing in ninth inning, Hall goes yard to force extra frame  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Toby Hall and Aubrey Huff played under Bill Evers at Triple-A Durham and worked with the bench coach all seven seasons they've been Major Leaguers.

Notes: Alfonzo placed on waivers  —  In need of bullpen help, Angels call up Bulger from Triple-A  —  LOS ANGELES — After Friday night's 16-3 loss to the Dodgers that required four relievers, the Angels made a roster move just in case they needed a fresh arm out of the bullpen for Saturday's game.

Bonds ties Ruth with homer No. 714  —  Giants slugger now 41 shy of Aaron's all-time record  —  OAKLAND — One to go.  —  Giants slugger Barry Bonds took another step closer to the pantheon of the baseball gods Saturday as he tied Babe Ruth for second on the all-time homer list with the 714th …

Rotation options dwindling  —  The Mets, desperate for pitching help, are discovering that the price of upgrading their rotation will be steep.  First the Marlins asked for David Wright in a swap for Dontrelle Willis.  And if the Mets want Livan Hernandez, the Nationals say it will cost them Lastings Milledge.

Church sent down; Escobar to join Nats  —  Outfielders switch places in Washington and Harrisburg  —  WASHINGTON — Shortly after they lost to the Orioles on Friday, the Nationals optioned outfielder Ryan Church to Double-A Harrisburg and are expected to purchase the contract outfielder Alex Escobar on Saturday.

Mariners part with two-time All-Star Lawton  —  SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners granted Matt Lawton his wish by designating him for assignment, ending a brief relationship between the recently suspended outfielder and one of the few teams willing to sign him last winter.

Beckett pitches, swats Sox to victory  —  Righty allows three earned runs, hits solo blast off Myers  —  PHILADELPHIA — Didn't someone say that the Red Sox lose a hitter when they played under National League rules?  It didn't work out that way on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Barbaro breaks down at start of Preakness, Bernardini wins  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Barbaro was rarin' to go.  The unbeaten Kentucky Derby winner gave jockey Edgar Prado every indication he was set for the race of his life.  —  The strapping bay colt was bucking in the starting gate at Pimlico Race Course …

Hensley to take on Mariners  —  San Diego (23-19) at Seattle (18-24), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  The Mariners played long ball against Chris Young in Friday night's series opener, something Clay Hensley will try to prevent when he goes to the post Saturday night against Gil Meche.

Surgery cuts out Pavano  —  Carl Pavano's forced joke Thursday about expecting to return "this century" might just be closer to reality than his later prediction that he would be back "this season."  —  The $39.95 million med-student's dream will undergo surgery next week to remove …