Tampa Bay Rays' clubhouse, like club, lacks spark  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The starting pitching has been ineffective, the offense spotty and the defense untidy.  But there has been something else missing for the Rays.  —  Call it joy.  Call it youthful enthusiasm.  Call it fun.

David Ortiz will be benched for rest of Boston's road trip  —  SEATTLE — Terry Francona is giving Big Papi an extended rest this weekend.  —  The Red Sox manager said that struggling David Ortiz would miss the final two games of the road trip and not start again until this Tuesday …

Lackey ejected two pitches into debut  —  Starter throws behind Kinsler, then hits him in ribs  —  ARLINGTON — John Lackey was upset — not with Ian Kinsler or the Rangers, but with the way his season debut ended as abruptly as a burp.  —  Two pitches into his return to the mound …

A-Rod home run lifts Yankees over Twins in 11th  —  Alex Rodriguez, right, is greeted by his teammates at home after hitting a walk-off home run in the 11th inning.  (Photo by David Pokres / May 16, 2009)  —  The thin line between love and something dramatically less that Yankees fans feel …

Nats expected to place Olsen on DL  —  Starter to be disabled with tendinitis; Detwiler set to join club  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are expected to place left-hander Scott Olsen on the 15-day disabled list on Monday with left shoulder tendinitis and recall left-hander Ross Detwiler from Double-A Harrisburg.

Pirates add Corsaletti, Newsom to mix  —  Minor Leaguers to be assigned to Double-A Altoona  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pirates acquired outfielder Jeff Corsaletti from the Red Sox organization and right-handed pitcher Randy Newsom from the Indians on Sunday.  —  Both Minor League players …

Mookie disappointed about lack '86 Series display  —  Mookie Wilson is responsible for perhaps the most indelible moment in Mets history, even if Bill Buckner is more famous for letting the ball sneak through his legs in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Paige: It's time to bail on Hurdle  —  They think we're not watching closely, or at all.  —  They think that because we've been overwhelmed by the John Philip Sousa victory march of the Nuggets and traumatized by the changing of everything but the guards at Broncos Palace, we've accepted the status woe.

Kershaw takes no-hit bid into eighth inning, Dodgers win  —  MIAMI (AP) — At first, Clayton Kershaw's pitching had teammates sprinting and diving for balls.  Then he found a groove and flirted with a no-hitter.  —  The bid ended with Cody Ross' double leading off the eighth inning …

May 17: Yankees vs. Columbus (Bruney's start)  —  Top first: Brian Bruney topped out at 92 early in the inning, then hit 93, then hit 94 three times in his last six pitches.  He threw 17 pitches, 12 for strikes.  — Called strike one, then an infield single on a 92 mph fastball.

Milton's return doesn't go as scripted  —  Left-hander's first start in two years marred by wildness  —  MIAMI — It's not just Manny Ramirez the Dodgers are trying to win without.  —  They've been in front despite the loss of Opening Day starter Hiroki Kuroda for the last five weeks and more to come …

Halladay wins fifth straight as Jays beat White Sox 8-2  —  TORONTO - Roy Halladay won his fifth straight start, Adam Lind hit one of three Toronto homers and the Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 8-2 on Sunday.  —  Halladay (8-1) surpassed Kansas City right-hander Zack Greinke …