Cards drop early chances against Billingsley  —  LOS ANGELES — The Cardinals experienced a maddening opening to Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Three hits and six baserunners within the first two innings failed to translate into any scoring by the visitors as the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead against Kyle Lohse.

Harper on Phillies: 'Hopefully they don't throw batteries'  —  PHILADELPHIA - Starter Cole Hamels hopes he hasn't created a monster, and beginning today at Citizens Bank Park, his Philadelphia Phillies might discover if they've spawned a rivalry with the Washington Nationals.

Team meeting may have inspired Sox  —  Bonus notes from our MLB on FOX broadcast of the Red Sox-Phillies game Saturday night ...  If the Red Sox rally to make the postseason, they might look back to a players-only meeting on May 11 as a turning point.  —  The night before …

Ventura: Hudson likely to fill in for Morel at 3rd  —  CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox third baseman Brent Morel is likely headed to the disabled list due to a bulging disk in his back and will be replaced by soon-to-be acquired Orlando Hudson, manager Robin Ventura said Sunday.

Wells, Langerhans likely headed to DL  —  SAN DIEGO — The Angels didn't just lose a frustrating extra-inning game to the Padres on Sunday.  —  They're also expecting to lose two of their outfielders to the disabled list, with Vernon Wells suffering a right thumb injury and Ryan Langerhans nursing a separated shoulder.

Tampa Bay Rays could lose another right-handed bat as Jeff Keppinger hobbled  —  ST. PETERSBURG — While sitting in the dugout during Saturday's game, INF Jeff Keppinger was struck in the right foot by a foul ball off the bat of Braves LF Martin Prado.  —  Initially, manager Joe Maddon wasn't overly concerned.

Lincecum bowled over in home-plate collision  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants starter Tim Lincecum was in a home-plate collision with Oakland's Collin Cowgill sliding headfirst in the fourth inning on Sunday, then left the game after finishing the frame.  —  The Giants did not immediately announce any injury for their star right-hander.

Josh Johnson wins second straight as Marlins beat Indians  —  CLEVELAND — Josh Johnson twice worked out of jams to earn his second straight win and help the Miami Marlins win an interleague series with Cleveland by beating the Indians 5-3 Sunday.  —  Johnson (2-3) allowed one run and five hits …

Strasburg's arm tightness a matter of concern  —  WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg was pulled from Sunday's game after five innings and 90 pitches at Nationals Park because of tightness in his golden right arm.  —  After the Nationals' 9-3 victory over the Orioles, Nats manager Davey Johnson called …

Matsuzaka shut down with another injury  —  PHILADELPHIA — Daisuke Matsuzaka will not be returning to the Red Sox any time soon.  —  The righthander, whose minor league rehabilitation assignment was due to end on Wednesday, has been shut down because of pain in his right trapezius muscle.

Johnny Cueto's arm, Ryan Ludwick's bat lift Reds over Yankees  —  NEW YORK — Johnny Cueto pitched effectively into the eighth inning, Ryan Ludwick delivered two big hits and the Cincinnati Reds closed out their extended visit to New York by beating the Yankees 5-2 Sunday.

Lucroy, Greinke help Brewers rout Twins 16-4  —  MILWAUKEE—Jonathan Lucroy homered twice and had a career-high seven RBIs, Zack Greinke pitched six strong innings to improve to 14-0 at Miller Park, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 16-4 on Sunday.

Montero, Smoak homer as Mariners sweep Rockies  —  DENVER—Jesus Montero and Justin Smoak hit back-to-back home runs, Blake Beavan tied a season-high with seven strikeouts and the Seattle Mariners held on to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.