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.

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."

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.

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 …

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.

Red-hot start is proof Beltran's above average  —  Modest Met is way ahead of .300 goal by hitting .385; has 19 RBIs  —  Perhaps disappointed isn't the proper word to describe Carlos Beltran's reaction to tying the Mets' single-season home run record last season.

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.

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.

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.

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.