Bombers can only hope Rivera will save this pen  —  The last-place Yanks dropped their fifth straight game last night, falling to Tampa Bay, 6-4, and this is as good a time as any to take stock of the damaged inventory: The hitting is just fine.  Better than fine.

Notes: Olsen works on mechanics  —  Left-hander looks to get back on track after two subpar starts  —  MIAMI — Scott Olsen believes he has identified the flaw in his pitching mechanics that led him to having two forgettable performances after starting the season 2-0.

Notes: Cabrera anchoring improved 'D'  —  Angels showing impressive strides in the field this season  —  ANAHEIM — An Angels defense that unraveled in the first half last season has held together nicely, thanks to a few home improvements and a renewed commitment reflected in the steely eyes of shortstop Orlando Cabrera, the anchor.

Griffey passes Reggie on HR list; Big Unit outpitched by Wells in season debut  —  Ken Griffey Jr. moved up on the career home runs list with another of his familiar sweet swings, swatting Reggie Jackson out of the top 10.  —  "To pass him, sometimes it's mindboggling because I didn't think …

Mets top Rockies in 12 on Chavez's bunt (AP)  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Damion Easley hit a tying homer with two outs in the 10th inning and Endy Chavez drove in the winning run with a beautiful bunt single in the 12th, giving the New York Mets a 2-1 victory Tuesday night over the Colorado Rockies.

Cubs coach Perry denies challenging ump to fight  —  It's only April, but the Cubs already lead the league in umpiring controversies.  —  Monday night's postgame incident in which hitting coach Gerald Perry got into shouting match with umpires in the tunnel was the second confrontation between Cubs personnel and umpires in four days.

Twins LHP Santana loses again at home (AP)  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Johan Santana has a new streak at the Metrodome.  —  Santana lost his second straight home start and Fausto Carmona got a long-awaited win in Cleveland's 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

STAT NERDS ARE OUT!  BIOMECHANICS NERDS ARE IN!  —  The other day I was talking baseball with a friend.  At first we were, lamely, comparing our fantasy teams.  This is something I never really enjoy.  How much can be said about how eye-popping A-Rod's stats are or how badly some guy in your league got fleeced in a trade?

Lesson from Oakland: Patience pays off  —  The best manager the Rangers ever had was also the most patient one.  —  If Johnny Oates could resist making a change, he would.  Players, he figured, would eventually be who they really are, and a poor two-week stretch or even a month would fade …

Notes: Disabled list filling up fast  —  Swisher leaves with a hamstring injury in the first inning  —  BALTIMORE — The A's used the disabled list 15 times in 2006, and they could have used it quite a bit more often.  —  Third baseman Eric Chavez spent the whole year battling a variety …

Notes: Vidro heating up  —  Designated hitter is on a tear at the plate  —  ARLINGTON — Jose Vidro extended his hitting streak to eight games when he logged two hits Monday night at Texas.  The Seattle designated hitter has a hit in 10 of his last 11 games, during which he's gone 17-for-48 (.354).