By George, ace finds his groove  —  ALS patient puts things into perspective for winner Schilling  —  BOSTON — After a string of five exceedingly frustrating starts, Curt Schilling could promise only one thing following his most recent outing: "I will get better," Schilling offered …

Notes: Angels struggling in May  —  Poor pitching, injuries contribute to 5-14 record to start May  —  ARLINGTON — The Angels made another dip into their talent pool when they called up Kendry Morales from Triple-A Salt Lake following Monday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Mailbag: Dealing with all the injuries  —  Beat writer Mark Feinsand answers Yankees fans' questions … Why on earth would Bernie Williams start this often, even with the injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield?  None of his numbers are promising, and he cannot improve.  Same with Scott Erickson.

Bonds meets Babe Ruth, but does anyone really care?  —  OAKLAND — There was no smile.  Fans didn't jump out of the stands chasing him around the bases like Hank Aaron after home run No. 715.  There was precious little emotion when Barry Bonds hit his 714th home run Saturday against the Oakland Athletics, tying Babe Ruth.

Cubs in no hurry to get Baker deal done  —  There might be a simple explanation for the Cubs' delay in signing manager Dusty Baker to a contract extension: The Cubs hold significant leverage over Baker, and don't need to rush.  —  Baker, 56, is one of the game's best-paid managers …

Notes: Escobar scratched from lineup  —  Injury-riddled outfielder hurt his left hamstring on Sunday  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Alex Escobar was scheduled to bat sixth against the Astros on Monday night, but he was scratched around 5:00 p.m. CT after he informed the team's trainers …

Pirates Notebook: Duffy's absence stems from unhappiness with game  —  PHOENIX — Center fielder Chris Duffy's absence from the Pirates apparently is motivated by a general unhappiness with playing the game much more than dissatisfaction with the team, two sources close to Duffy said.

Monday Ramblin's  —  I'm well aware that many of you fine CD faithful do not speak "Bullshitese" AKA the unconditional loving of another athlete no matter your inner disdain so let me translate a few quotes you may have heard over the weekend.  When Bonds says "Now that I've got the record …

MacPhail speaks on state of Cubs  —  Team president says production and rotation are trouble spots  —  MIAMI — The problem, Chicago Cubs team president Andy MacPhail says, is simple.  The Cubs simply aren't driving in runs.  —  The numbers back him up.

Notes: Cora denies fight bite  —  Nelson appears headed to White Sox bullpen  —  CHICAGO — Remember the children's game known as Telephone, where one kid tells his friend a sentence and then watches to see how the context changes by the time it gets to the end of the line with his or her buddies?

715  —  now comes the king of steroids, still a-questing after no. 715.  he's gonna hit it against the cardinals, no question about it — the set-up is too rich with poetic justice for him not to.  what better manager for him to hit it against than the one who gave baseball's original steroid sinner …

Brewers get lesson in roster rules  —  Milwaukee call up Villanueva after Mabeus was ruled ineligible  —  CINCINNATI — It will be Carlos Villanueva, not Chris Mabeus, in uniform for the Brewers for the next few nights after the team got a lesson Monday in Major League Baseball's roster rules.

Mets' pitching depth being tested early  —  Soler will be New York's quickest ninth starter in 20 years  —  NEW YORK — What Omar Minaya identified as the Mets depth in starting pitching is a thing of the past, forcing the Mets to dip into their uncertain future to reinforce their present.

Hernandez bears down after pep talk  —  Even after giving up a couple of walks and a couple of runs in the third inning Sunday, Felix Hernandez was in a position to coast.  —  After all, the Mariners had scored eight runs in the second inning, giving Hernandez an 8-3 lead.

Peavy in search of winning formula  —  Atlanta (21-22) at San Diego (23-21), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  Returning home after a nine-game trip through Chicago, Phoenix and Seattle, the Padres will try to reverse a losing trend at PETCO Park.  —  Having dropped five of six after opening the trip …

Feliz, Bay named NL Players of the Week  —  Grand slams played grand roles this past week for the Bank of America National League co-Players of the Week.  —  Pirates left fielder Jason Bay and Giants third baseman Pedro Feliz each hit a grand slam and added two more homers last week …