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.

Glass: No GM deal yet  —  Moore is believed to be mulling offer  —  NEW YORK — Royals owner David Glass denied media reports Sunday that he has reached an agreement to hire Atlanta assistant Dayton Moore to replace Allard Baird as the club's general manager.  —  "I don't have a deal yet with anybody," Glass said.

Notes: Win brings team together  —  Bay's hot-hitting continues, Tracy expects more of the same  —  PITTSBURGH — A little more than eight hours after winning what is believed to be the longest game ever played in the city of Pittsburgh, the Pirates were back in the clubhouse Sunday morning still trying …

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.

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.

Dodgers waste no time in win vs. Braves  —  Early offensive onslaught helps LA absorb Atlanta rally  —  ATLANTA — Utility infielder Ramon Martinez, filling in for injured second baseman Jeff Kent, slugged a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five runs as the Dodgers coasted to a 12-5 victory over the Braves on Monday.

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.

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.