Wake cushion eases pain: Strong start saves bullpen  —  Tim Wakefield looked down the lineup card and knew exactly what was needed yesterday.  —  Everyone else knew, too.  —  Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable.  The kid closer had pitched so much of late, had put out so many fires …

Cards will put Carpenter on DL  —  SAN DIEGO  —  The Cardinals will place starting pitcher Chris Carpenter on the disabled list before Tuesday night's game against the Houston Astros because of bursitis in his upper back, club sources confirmed Sunday, and probably will promote Anthony Reyes …

Second thoughts find this guy is no Aaron  —  Barry Bonds is alone now in second-place on the all-time home run list, and that is fitting.  Not because he hit No. 715 yesterday.  Because he is as alone as anybody has ever been in baseball.  —  Bonds finally passed Babe Ruth.

Maydaze!  Maydaze!  —  Cubs yield 8 homers, popup bounces off Ramirez's head in loss, writes Dave van Dyck  —  The Cubs may be rewriting records for wretchedness, but they also are setting new standards for strangeness.  —  And Sunday's weirdly wild game had it all wrapped up in one nice, not-so-neat package.

Sibling Rivalry May Be Brewing  —  Watching kid brother Jered Weaver throw seven shutout innings in his major league debut Saturday night "was pretty special" for Jeff Weaver, the Angels' veteran right-hander.  —  But would the elder Weaver still think of his brother as special if Jered remained …

Damon lucky he escaped Royals' world  —  NEW YORK — Johnny Damon stood in front of his locker and answered pointed questions about why the New York Yankees almost lost to the Royals.  The Yankees did not almost lose, in truth, but the Royals did come back to lose by just one run, and that scandal had the New York media hopping.

Howard finds left-field stands — again  —  Phils slugger has yet to pull a long ball this year at home  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard waited that extra second to pounce on Milwaukee lefty Dana Eveland's outside fastball, depositing it over the left-field wall.

Delgado having positive effect on Beltran, Mets … MIAMI — Carlos Beltran has recaptured his form at the plate, having a solid season with the Mets.  But he acknowledges that the arrival of Carlos Delgado has helped his personal recovery and the team's success.

Rheinecker gets second start  —  ARLINGTON - Rangers rookie left-hander John Rheinecker hopes his second stint with the club lasts longer than his first one.  —  Rheinecker, who will start tonight against Seattle, made his major league debut April 22 against Tampa Bay and allowed two runs in four innings in Texas' 6-5 victory.

Notes: Soriano keeps mind on game  —  Outfielder has faced adjustments since arriving in Washington  —  WASHINGTON — Left fielder Alfonso Soriano said on Sunday morning that he is surprised that his mentality at the plate has remained intact, considering he had to make big adjustments since …

Kaz's job listed as day-to-day  —  MIAMI - Kaz Matsui has lost the everyday second-base job, though he still may get the majority of the starts.  Willie Randolph met with the .213-hitting infielder before yesterday's game, then started Jose Valentin at second base.

Thompson to make holiday start  —  Colorado (32-17) at San Diego (25-24), 6:05 p.m. PT  —  The Rockies come to town for the second time this season, starting on Monday night, but the Padres are a very different team this time around.  —  When the Rockies came to San Diego, April 7-9 …