Snyder delivers a victory  —  Sox top Nationals behind spot starter  —  With surfer-boy looks and sunglasses perched on his head, Kyle Snyder looked, for a second, like a supersized Bronson Arroyo, come back to save a Red Sox pitching staff that recently has succumbed to the disabled list.

Barrett starts suspension  —  CLEVELAND — Michael Barrett's defense for punching White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was found lacking by Major League Baseball, which refused Monday to reduce his 10-game suspension.  —  Barrett began serving the suspension immediately, and will be eligible to return June 30 …

Notes: Tracy voices his concerns  —  Skipper wants to diffuse mentality of losing on club  —  PITTSBURGH — This much is certain 70 games through Jim Tracy's first season as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates: He's determined to do whatever he possibly can to change an atmosphere of losing …

Cubs feast on Tribe, wash away slide  —  Blanco homers, drives in four as Chicago halts six-game skid  —  CLEVELAND — In Greek mythology, Zeus was the Rain God, though he obviously performed many other functions.  Most well-known of those functions was King of the Gods.  He was the most powerful of the Olympians.

A visit from a National treasure  —  Sweating, ever-stoic, now 70 years old, Frank Robinson took a tour around Fenway Park at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon.  —  He first came here in 1961 as a member of the National League All-Star team, and in 1966 — his Triple Crown/MVP season with the Orioles …

Notes: Dotel close to joining Yankees  —  Reliever heading to Trenton to finish rehab assignment  —  PHILADELPHIA — Octavio Dotel walked into the Yankees' clubhouse on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, but the right-hander was not there to join his teammates in the bullpen.

Rookie starters help turn around Marlins' season  —  Off the field, they couldn't be more different.  —  Ricky Nolasco is a computer nerd who attends chapel every week, decorates his locker with rosaries and spends his off-seasons camping in the desert.  —  Scott Olsen is an extrovert …

Left in the dark  —  There is a hilarious commercial playing on the radio these days.  It is for Major League Baseball's online video-streaming service, and the announcer states with all the zeal of a snake-oil salesman: "Sign up for MLB.TV and never miss a game again!"  —  Bill Reed is the punch line.

Beltre having hard time living up to lofty expectations  —  As the Dominican Republic advanced to the World Baseball Classic semifinals in March, one particularly potent batter stood out in a fearsome lineup that included Albert Pujols, David Ortiz and Miguel Tejada:  —  Third baseman Adrian Beltre.

No hugs for Piven at Wrigley  —  Chatting on the field before Sunday's Tigers-Cubs game, actor Jeremy Piven and Cubs marketing chief John McDonough discussed how Piven would incorporate his signature line into his singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."  —  They came up with: "Hug it out, Cubs fans."

Angels barely escape no-hitter  —  Figgins breaks up bid by Giants' Cain in eighth inning  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain fairly defined the state of the Angels offense with his outing Monday night.  —  The Giants rookie had tossed 127 pitches, 7 2/3 innings' worth, and not one was put into play safely.

Notes: Baffled by the error of their ways  —  Angels unsure why defense has faltered; Erstad still hurting  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Angels have gone from first to worst in more ways than one this season.  —  After winning the American League West for the past two years, the club currently is bringing up the rear in the division.

Mailbag: Will the Nationals deal Soriano?  —  Reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Why would we trade such a great player like Alfonso Soriano for prospects, who we won't even know will do well?  I understand bringing up Ryan Zimmerman, but he can be considered one of those once in a lifetime players.