Monday Morning Mock Draft  —  When Royals officials went to bed Sunday night, they still didn't know whose name they'd call with the No. 1 pick in the draft Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.  Insisting money wouldn't be the determining factor, they still were debating the merits of North Carolina …

Can you have a pretty loss?  —  After 2 comebacks, Randolph 'ecstatic' about his team's play  —  It was not so much a loss as it was a matter of running out of comebacks.  That is the way the Mets looked at it.  They played well, they stayed with it and they did come back twice.

Laird earning playing time  —  CHICAGO - Gerald Laird's status changed Sunday.  No longer does Rangers manager Buck Showalter search for occasional off-days for catcher Rod Barajas.  He searches for ways to get Laird into the lineup.  —  Laird is making the most of every opportunity he gets to play.

Schilling: Yanks skipper keeps team afloat  —  DETROIT - Curt Schilling stopped to watch ESPN before yesterday's game against the Tigers.  A graphic happened to include the Yankees.  —  "That's your manager of the year right there," Schilling said.  "Joe Torre has done an unbelievable job.

Clement, Red Sox tame Tigers  —  Pitcher rebounds as offense shines  —  DETROIT — With Matt Clement temporarily quieting the debate over whether he is still qualified to pitch in the big leagues, represent the city of Boston, and retain membership in the human race …

The Power Trip Continues  —  Soriano Hits Solo Homer, Grand Slam as Nats Complete Sweep: Nationals 8, Brewers 4  —  MILWAUKEE, June 4 — He stated much less with his two home runs than with the indifference that followed.  Alfonso Soriano never sauntered or pumped a fist.  Heck, he hardly even smiled.

BOWA BLASTS PATTERSON  —  June 5, 2006 — BALTIMORE - When Corey Patterson stole second and third in the seventh inning with the Orioles leading by six runs Larry Bowa believed Patterson was rubbing it in the Yankees' nose.  —  From the top step of the third base dugout, Bowa let Patterson have it.

Notes: Several starters get day off  —  Johnson, Zimmerman, Byrd all out of Sunday lineup  —  MILWAUKEE — Manager Frank Robinson made several lineup changes for Sunday's game against the Brewers.  He sat first baseman Nick Johnson in favor of Robert Fick, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman …

Willis not at wits' end with the Marlins  —  MIAMI — Dontrelle Willis, wearing an oversized Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears jersey, strolls into the Florida Marlins clubhouse.  —  He greets everyone as if he were at his high school reunion.  He hugs.  Slaps palms.  Waves.  And can't stop smiling.

Fairy-tale ending for Maddux?  Get out of town!  —  He didn't come here to pitch like Cy Old, punch water jugs and allow six runs a start.  Greg Maddux returned to Cubdom because he believed in the romantic notion that he could bring his story full circle, that he was being summoned …

Pujols beset with nagging pain  —  On the day he went on the disabled list for the first time in a career full of more favorable firsts, Albert Pujols reported difficulty sleeping, occasional pain when breathing and increased soreness in his right side, Cardinals officials said Sunday.

Former umpire Eric Gregg suffers massive stroke  —  Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his wide strike zone and well-documented weight problems, suffered a massive stroke Sunday and was unconscious, his son Kevin told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.  Gregg was hospitalized at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia.