Mets acquire Williams from Cincinnati  —  NEW YORK —The New York Mets made another trade to help their injury-depleted pitching staff Thursday, acquiring Dave Williams from the Cincinnati Reds for a minor leaguer.  —  The Reds got right-hander Robert Manuel in the deal and assigned him to Class-A Dayton.

Sox out to bounce back against Rays  —  Tampa Bay (21-26) at Boston (26-18), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox aim to rebound from a disappointing series loss to the Yankees when they open a four-game series with the Devil Rays at Fenway Park.  —  Boston looks to right-hander Josh Beckett …

Try To Forget This...Try To Erase This  —  I was going to go to the game today...really I was.  But the combination of general laziness, tending to a cat who's currently on the DL, and wondering what to get for Mom's birthday tomorrow hence keeping myself available for an emergency trip to the mall, kept me home.

Notes: Walker home on the road  —  Reliever appreciates two-fold opportunity in Kansas City  —  KANSAS CITY — The Tigers have had a successful series in Kansas City and nobody has enjoyed the last few days more than reliever Jamie Walker.  —  Besides the positive developments on the field …

Wood, Prior weigh shoulder problems  —  Cubs hurlers deal with temperamental injuries  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has had surgery on his elbow and on his shoulder, and if he had to pick one, he'd definitely skip any further shoulder operations.

Griffey opens up to media after stand-off  —  A local sports radio program had riled the center fielder  —  CINCINNATI — Switch positions?  Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. doesn't want to hear it.  He'd probably prefer that you don't even think it.  —  Griffey, now fully recovered …

Webb gives hitters that sinking feeling  —  Why is Brandon Webb pitching so well this year?  Well, he has a very loose wrist, and is a loose and relaxed pitcher.  His elbow and arm really unfold which allows him to spin the ball and get exceptional movement.

Pujols harms his reputation by bonding with Bonds  —  It was awfully nice of Albert Pujols to take time out of his busy schedule to go on a humanitarian mission in San Francisco, where he continued to express unconditional and unapologetic public support for Barry Bonds.

Ten Things I Learned from Hit Tracker  —  Baseball followers have long wondered how long the long ball goes.  Even during the days of infrequent home runs, fans would ooh and ahh every long-distance whack.  Baseball Almanac has a great article by William Jenkinson about the history …

Too many Joneses  —  Young struggles against Atlanta's two star sluggers  —  Padres newcomer Chris Young has been a dependable pitcher, turning in only one clunker in 10 starts.  The clunker came last night, and the Braves took advantage for a 10-6 win at Petco Park that was last-place San Diego's seventh defeat in nine games.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Is it Still Good to Be the King?  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  I was in Las Vegas this past weekend, and was asked by a couple of poker buddies about the struggles of Felix Hernandez.  Being a few drinks and a couple hundred hands of crazy pineapple into the wind …

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION  —  If San Jose or another Bay Area city is willing to donate the land and pay for related road improvements, Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff will build a stadium and deliver a Major League Soccer team to replace the departed Earthquakes.

Robinson emotional following win  —  Manager forced to pull struggling LeCroy from behind plate  —  WASHINGTON — The character, Jimmy Dugan, played by actor Tom Hanks in the movie "A League of Their Own," yelled the famous words to his female ballplayer: "There's no crying in baseball!"

Three men and a maybe  —  Royals will draft Miller, Lincecum or Lincoln with first overall pick  —  KANSAS CITY — Call them the Big Three.  —  They are the three most prominent names in the Royals' search for the No. 1 overall choice in the First-Year Player Draft.  They have one thing in common.