Ernie Harwell, Detroit Tigers broadcaster, dies at 92  —  Ernie Harwell, the acclaimed Tigers broadcaster whose eloquence and kindness made him a beloved Michigan institution, died tonight after a nearly yearlong bout with cancer.  He was 92.  —  He died in his apartment at Fox Run Village …

Pedroia to Ortiz critics: Relax, people  —  Dustin Pedroia defended teammate David Ortiz after the Red Sox slugger struck out twice and hit into a pair of double plays, including one with the bases loaded and none out in a 1-1 game in the eighth inning Tuesday.

Towles optioned to Double-A Corpus Christi  —  HOUSTON — Only minutes after being told by general manager Ed Wade he was being optioned to Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, Astros catcher J.R. Towles met with reporters at his locker and admitted he was unhappy with the decision.

Pregame notes: Posada hoping for Friday  —  Jorge Posada said his sore right calf is still stiff.  He's out of the lineup as more than a precaution — he's back to emergency catcher status the next few days — but he's hopeful that he'll be back in the lineup on Friday.  —  “They want me off my feet today,” Posada said.

John Lackey says Angels can't have it both ways  —  Pitcher who signed with Boston says Angels preach the team game but won't pay to keep team together.  —  Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey says he's not bitter about his departure from the Angels.  (Winslow Townson / Associated Press / April 24, 2010)

Crawford: No decisions, quote was wrong  —  LF Carl Crawford said he's made no decisions about his future with the Rays, much less that of teammate Carlos Pena, and was misquoted in an upcoming Sports Illustrated story: “Nothing's changed, no decisions, I don't know what Carlos is doing,” Crawford said.

Nats' Strasburg to make Triple-A debut on Friday … WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals' top overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg is moving up a level.  —  The Nationals promoted Strasburg to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.  The 21-year-old right-hander will make his International League debut Friday …

Guillen would prefer firing to quitting  —  But Sox manager already has achieved longevity as he has managed 1,000 games  —  A.J. Pierzynski tags Kansas City's Jose Guillen at home as he tried to score during the third inning.  (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / May 4, 2010)

Nats may hire Harper's college coach … The Nationals, who have the first pick in next month's draft, are now working to hire possible No. 1 pick Bryce Harper's college coach as a scout, SI.com has learned.  —  The expected hiring of well-regarded College of Southern Nevada coach Tim Chambers …

Pirates steal 3-2 win against Cubs  —  PITTSBURGH — Ryan Church's two-run homer put Pittsburgh ahead in the sixth inning, Andy LaRoche added a solo shot and the Pirates bounced back from a poor road trip to beat the Cubs and Ryan Dempster 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Dawson did it his way, with class  —  In visit to Hall, Hawk overwhelmed, finally feels he belongs  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Andre Dawson, deep in the catacombs of the Hall of Fame, picked up a well-used Worth baseball bat, swung it a couple of times and with a smile remarked, “It feels good.”

Mariners GM Zduriencik looking to improve anemic offense  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  TACOMA, Wash. — Trader Jack Zduriencik is on the hunt for a deal to improve the Mariners' offense.  —  “But it's not hunting season right now,” Seattle's general manager said Monday …