Notes: Rainout negates Pelfrey recall  —  Mets no longer need extra starter for Friday doubleheader  —  NEW YORK — Nothing like a little rain to wash away the Mets' problems.  —  The Mets had been prepared for some time to recall rookie starter Mike Pelfrey from Triple-A New Orleans …

No news not bad for Sox, Buehrle  —  Sides may agree on 4 years, $56 million  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Silence may be golden when it comes to negotiations between the White Sox and left-handed ace Mark Buehrle.  —  Sox assistant general manager Rick Hahn returned to Chicago Thurday …

Astros' Biggio gets 3,000th career hit  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Craig Biggio was exhausted and ready to talk about his latest accomplishment.  He still had some time for an old friend, though.  —  "Hey Frankie, how you doing," he said nodding to a slight teenager with a mop of dark hair.

Yanks Take New Approach to Season  —  Jorge Posada's throw sailed into left field, a wild heave from an exhausted stalwart of the Yankees.  Corey Patterson, who was trying to steal third base, trotted home with another run to put the Baltimore Orioles ahead by two in the seventh inning Thursday at Camden Yards.

Padres tentatively acquire OF Milton Bradley  —  The Padres have tentatively acquired outfielder Milton Bradley from the Oakland Athletics.  As part of the trade, the Padres will send a minor league pitcher to Oakland.  Bradley, a switch-hitter, could join the Padres on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Notes: McCarthy to start Monday  —  Right-hander will be activated from DL to face Red Sox  —  DETROIT — The Rangers are planning to bring Brandon McCarthy off the disabled list and pitch him on Monday against the Boston Red Sox.  —  McCarthy has made just one Major League start since …

Martin leads onslaught vs. Johnson  —  Dodgers hammer big lefty to move back into first place  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers found a Cy Young Award winner they could beat Thursday, making Randy Johnson wish he had stayed on the disabled list a little longer.  —  After not scoring against Brandon Webb …

Thomas launches No. 500 at Metrodome  —  Blue Jays slugger hits three-run shot vs. Silva in first frame  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Seventeen years ago, Frank Thomas belted his first career home run off Twins pitcher Gary Wayne in Minnesota.  Thursday afternoon at the Metrodome, the pitcher was different, but the result was the same.

Q&A with Ryan Zimmerman  —  Young star excited about club's progress in rebuilding efforts … MLB.com: You told everyone to be patient regarding the Nationals.  How do you feel about the rebuilding plan?  —  Zimmerman: I think it's going a lot faster than what people thought.

Notes: Jones takes responsibility  —  Closer holds himself accountable for Tuesday's loss  —  DETROIT — The Tigers do not have a captain.  The way Todd Jones sees it, their bullpen does, in a way.  —  While Jones' frustration was tempered Wednesday morning after Tuesday's loss, he still wasn't happy with how it unfolded.

Baseball fans bored with milestones … When Roger Clemens went for his 350th career victory on Wednesday night at Camden Yards, the ballpark was about two-thirds full and the excitement level for what could have been a rare piece of baseball history was not all that much greater …

Cardinals face a decision with Reyes  —  NEW YORK — After a week of games extended, games delayed and one game postponed, the Cardinals reach a weekend in which they won't have any chances to impede the inevitable.  A decision looms.  What to do with Anthony Reyes.

Rewriting history: What if the Braves had signed Willie Mays?  —  Pretend you're at a bar, sitting near a couple of guys wearing baseball hats, clutching beers and talking animatedly.  Now pretend the two guys are Matthew Namee and Steve Treder.  This is what you might hear:  —  Namee:

No second thoughts for Angels  —  It's an organizational philosophy to go from first to third on singles and no one in baseball does it more often.  —  BALTIMORE — Howie Kendrick was on first base in the second inning of a June 18 game against Houston when Shea Hillenbrand grounded a single through the shortstop hole.

Lo Duca outburst has Latin accent  —  Calls out media, Hispanic mates  —  Admitting he was "in a bad mood all day," Paul Lo Duca announced in a near-empty clubhouse last night - and on the eve of the Mets' key NL East showdown with the Phillies - that some of his Spanish-speaking teammates need …

Pirates Notebook: Armas' days numbered?  —  MIAMI — The end could be nigh for Tony Armas.  —  He might be the least of the Pirates' problems, having been relegated to mopup duty a month ago, but he also has been the least effective of their pitchers with a 8.92 ERA and nine home runs allowed in just 37 innings.