Kershaw takes no-hit bid into eighth inning of 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 …

Lineup-card error forces pitcher to hit  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — An error on the Tampa Bay Rays' official lineup card forced starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine to bat in Sunday's game against Cleveland.  —  The Rays listed Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria as the third baseman on the card given …

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 …

Fowler trying to improve lefty swing  —  PITTSBURGH — Dexter Fowler was left out against a left-hander Sunday because he needs to get his swing right.  —  Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is working with Fowler on his left-handed swing, lowering his hands to get him into a better “load position” as the pitch approaches the plate.

Cora leaves with injured thumb  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As if the Mets didn't have enough injury concerns, backup infielder Alex Cora left tonight's game in the third inning due to an injured right thumb.  —  Cora, who was filling in at shortstop for the injured Jose Reyes (calf tendinitis) …

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.

BATTING  —  2B: Matsui (8, Slowey).  —  HR: Rodriguez, A (3, 7th inning off Slowey, 0 on, 0 out), Damon (10, 10th inning off Crain, 0 on, 1 out).  —  TB: Jeter 2; Damon 6; Rodriguez, A 4; Matsui 2; Swisher; Cervelli.  —  RBI: Rodriguez, A (7), Cabrera, M (13), Damon (27).

Did Tipping Pitches Help Rodriguez and Others?  Numbers Say No  —  The most damaging allegation in Selena Roberts's new book on Alex Rodriguez had nothing to do with steroids.  Rodriguez's use of performance-enhancing drugs certainly counts as cheating, but an argument can be made that his team was the beneficiary.

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 …

Prospectus Idol: Meet the Finalists by Baseball Prospectus  —  Meet the Finalists  —  It is our privilege to present the slate of competitors in the first-ever edition of Prospectus Idol.  The objective of this competition is to find a new Baseball Prospectus columnist …

Josh Beckett, Red Sox get it done  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  SEATTLE - For once on this road trip, a 4-0 lead was good enough.  —  And for that, the Red Sox [team stats] can thank their defense.  —  Last night's 5-3 victory over the Mariners pivoted …

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.

John Lackey: ‘I did not try to throw at him’  —  The Rangers were more puzzled then perturbed about Angels starter John Lackey's two-pitch outing.  —  Lackey threw his first pitch behind Ian Kinsler's head.  His second pitch plunked Kinsler in the ribs.  Home plate umpire Bob Davidson had seen enough, sending Lackey to the showers.