Red Sox Nation leaving Blitz behind  —  With Dice-K on deck, Boston goes for historic sweep  —  BOSTON — This may not make up for the Blitz of Boston.  But, it's a start, enough for the Red Sox to lift their eyes off the ground when a Yankee enters the room.

One League Is Superior, and Don't Blame the Yankees  —  Who hit better last year, Alex Rodriguez or David Wright?  Carlos Beltrán or Jason Giambi?  For that matter, which was a better team on the whole, the Yankees or the Mets?  —  Fans acquainted with modern statistical evaluation …

Hamels K's 15 as Phils down Reds  —  Left-hander posts first complete game as Philly evens series  —  CINCINNATI — When addressing the dominant pitching performance he had just witnessed by southpaw Cole Hamels, manager Charlie Manuel said, "He pitched [an amazing] game.  Super, man."

Family, Angels star Guerrero try to contact Aybar  —  Willy Aybar's mother, Angels star Vladimir Guerrero and others have been unsuccessful in attempts to contact the suspended Braves infielder, who has a substance-abuse problem and failed to show for a scheduled meeting in New York with Major League Baseball officials.

Notes: Unit to make debut Tuesday  —  Nippert recalled as Cruz goes on DL; Petit to start Sunday  —  SAN FRANCISCO — And the answer is ... Tuesday.  —  That's when Randy Johnson will take the mound as a D-back for the first time this year, facing the Padres at Chase Field.

Return of Encarnacion seen as key  —  Three offense-free weeks have altered perceptions at 700 Clark Street.  —  Exhibit A: Nicole Juan Encarnacion, who would have been shopped last winter if not for wrist surgery in December, has become the Cardinals' missing cornerstone.

Starting With Little Bunt, Mets' Offense Goes a Long Way  —  Long before the long balls soared toward the construction cranes at the new stadium rising behind the outfield fence, the Mets began to beat the Braves yesterday with only a little bit of a hit at sunny old Shea Stadium.

Guillen undecided on Anderson's future  —  DETROIT — Brian Anderson was expected to start Saturday against Detroit left-hander Nate Robertson, but didn't.  Manager Ozzie Guillen said he hasn't thought about sending his second-year outfielder to Triple-A Charlotte to guarantee him more work.

Ortiz gets back at Arizona  —  The Giants presented their fans with rally caps Friday night, a nice gesture even if it does send the odd message that somebody in the organization expects the club to be trailing a lot this season.  On the other hand, the Giants are on the verge of completing …

Biggio slam holds up in win  —  Brewers rally off Lidge in ninth; Qualls shuts door  —  MILWAUKEE — For the third consecutive night, Craig Biggio and his teammates pulled off a victory with a late rally, and they needed every last run.  —  Biggio delivered the biggest blow Friday night …

NY Mets 7, Atlanta 2  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Oliver Perez could hardly throw a strike in his previous outing.  This time, he couldn't miss.  —  Perez struck out nine and walked none in an impressive bounce-back performance, and Carlos Beltran had four hits to lead the New York Mets past the Atlanta Braves 7-2 on Saturday.

Pittsburgh vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 20 April 2007  —  Tony Armas (0-1, 13.50) vs. Randy Wolf (2-1, 4.00).  —  Armas makes only his second start of the year, and he may not get it in; it's raining in Southern California right now, and there's a good chance of rain later tonight.

Notes: Zimmerman unfazed  —  Third baseman not concerned with slow start to the season  —  MIAMI — After Ryan Zimmerman drove in 110 runs and hit .287 as a rookie last year, plenty of people have predicted he will have All-Star credentials this season.  So far it hasn't been the case.