McClung starts bad then can't recover … BOSTON - Seth McClung got the warmup act down Saturday.  It was the pitching part that caused him problems.  —  McClung's ineffectiveness against a depleted Red Sox lineup and Curt Schilling's ability to rise to the occasion of his 200th career victory …

Cardinals expect to place Carpenter on DL  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals expect to place pitcher Chris Carpenter on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, and are preparing to call up right-hander Anthony Reyes from the minors to take his spot in the rotation.

Thomson hit hard early as Braves fall  —  Starter lasts just 1 1/3 innings as Dodgers stave off rally  —  ATLANTA — The Braves have flirted with big and early deficits for much of the season.  On Monday afternoon, they found out how big a hole is too deep to dig out of.

Dodgers' Gagne ready to return to team  —  Closer completes successful Triple-A rehab assignment  —  LAS VEGAS — It didn't take long for Eric Gagne to declare himself ready to face Major League hitters.  —  Gagne capped a successful rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday …

Notes: Harden set to return  —  Starter to complete rehab assignment this week  —  OAKLAND — As bad as things have gone for the injury-ravaged A's this month, they seem to take a measure of comfort in knowing that last May was even worse.  A lot worse.  —  "At this time last year …

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.

Breaking down the 64-team NCAA tournament baseball field  —  Team-by-team look at the Division I NCAA baseball tournament field, compiled by Jack Carey, Ben Dooling and David Kay (stats as of end of regular season):  —  Alabama: The Crimson Tide have been helped by superlative pitching …

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 …

Monday Morning QB (cont.)  —  Ten Things I Think I Think  —  1. I think the one thing I'll always remember about Ironhead Heyward, who died of cancer over the weekend at 39, is how honest he was with the press.  I always got a straight answer from him, even in some tough times.  I'll miss him.

Lieber on DL with strained left groin  —  Right-hander departs after two innings against Nationals  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jon Lieber turned funny fielding a comebacker and wound up on the 15-day disabled list.  —  The right-hander left the game after two innings, providing a dark spot …

Prior tosses two rehab innings  —  Righty not concerned by reduced velocity in 44-pitch outing  —  PEORIA, Ill. — Mark Prior's heater never topped the temperature in his first Minor League rehabilitation start for the Class A Peoria Chiefs on Monday.  —  Prior threw 44 pitches in two innings …

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.

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.

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.

Wells to miss next start with sore right knee  —  TORONTO — Red Sox left-hander David Wells will miss a turn in the rotation because of a sore right knee.  —  Wells left his last start after taking a line drive off his knee.  He'll miss his scheduled start on Wednesday.

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.