Sox punch like Judy: String of losses smells like trouble  —  "Things are not going good."  - David Ortiz  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - To make any attempt to candy-coat what has become of the Red Sox would be silly.  —  They stink right now.  The timeliness of their hitting is extinct.

Spilborghs could return in center  —  Los Angeles - The Rockies have searched everywhere but Google for a center fielder.  —  The journey from the trade market to the waiver wire has led back to Triple-A Colorado Springs.  There are strong indications that Ryan Spilborghs will be promoted …

Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel  —  MILWAUKEE — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.

Mets smart to keep excitement  —  In the old days, there was a saying that went, "Home run hitters drive Cadillacs."  The current addendum to that goes something like this: Triples hitters buy big houses.  —  Jose Reyes, master of the triple and sparkplug of the Mets …

In weak, weak West, a wheezer can win  —  ARLINGTON - The easy thing to do is to bury the Rangers.  —  The hard thing is going to be to do it in the graveyard known as the American League West.  —  Teetering at the foot of the division crypt on Tuesday, having lost four straight …

Lo Duca yet to catch up to '86 Mets  —  Did you read about Paul Lo Duca's divorce?  —  Did you also read he actually hit on a younger woman?  —  Mercy me.  What is this world coming to?  —  This is an unusual story, right?  Certainly worthy of page one placement, right?

Saunders, Weaver Get Yankee Stadium Tests  —  CLEVELAND — If there are questions about how the Angels' young pitchers will respond to the pressures of a pennant race and baseball's most hostile environments, they could be answered this weekend.  —  Rookies Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver …

Bad outing, more doubts  —  Prior's health an issue following 3-inning stint  —  MILWAUKEE — Questions about Mark Prior's health surfaced again Thursday after another shaky outing in an 8-6 loss to Milwaukee, but the answers were as elusive as Prior himself.

Vidro's Rehab Assignment Is Put Off  —  Washington Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro, on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, won't go on a rehabilitation assignment over the weekend, as he originally said he would.  —  "We want him to be ready to go," General Manager Jim Bowden said.

Future Shock  —  Cameron Maybin led off yesterday's center field rankings, so he'll pull double duty by leading off today's scouting notebook as well.  The 10th overall pick in last year's draft has had an outstanding year in his full-season debut, batting .320/.401/.477 for Low Class A West Michigan …

ESPN's John Kruk gave Phillies second baseman Chase Utley one of the highest compliments by comparing him to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  Kruk stated recently on Baseball Tonight that Utley is the face of the franchise now that Bobby Abreu has been traded to the New York Yankees.

Marlins fill system with independents  —  JUPITER — When the Florida Marlins organization needed players to fill gaps within its minor-league system, it turned to the independent professional baseball leagues.  —  Since the start of the minor-league season, only Oakland has acquired …

Heart shows way on Valentin's day  —  This year's Mets, unlike their fumbling ancestors, have become the unAmazin's.  They won their fifth straight yesterday, almost routinely, own best record in the league and have spent exactly one day out of first place.

Ringolsby: Girardi may be losing control in Florida  —  LOS ANGELES - Baseball had its first managerial change of the season this week.  —  But it doesn't count because nothing really changed.  —  Florida owner Jeffrey Loria fired manager Joe Girardi on Sunday afternoon …

Best-built benches  —  Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed and making a deal almost requires an Act of Congress, don't expect much roster makeover in the coming weeks.  The waiver process being what it is, it's unlikely many players of note will pass through and be subsequently traded elsewhere.

Pirates Notebook: Interleague will be Central affair again, plus Seattle  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  HOUSTON — In many of Major League Baseball's 30 markets, interleague play brings plenty of excitement for the public and the participants.