Kearns, Nats Caught in the Headlights  —  There can be times over the course of a season when nearly every play — an odd hop or a ball in the wind, a bad instinct or a poor read — seeks out and finds one particular player.  That man is stripped in front of an entire stadium …

Hargrove's stall tactics save Mariners from likely loss to Indians  —  CLEVELAND — In another life, he was known as the Human Rain Delay.  —  You can append that now.  After Friday's antics in the fifth inning at Jacobs Field, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is the Human Snow Delay.

Baseball won't probe smudge on K-Rod's hat  —  Major League Baseball has dropped its probe of Los Angeles Angels reliever Francisco Rodriguez, the team said Friday.  —  Photos on the Web site "The Cheater's Guide to Baseball Blog" appeared to show how Rodriguez, in two games against the Texas Rangers …

Notebook: Bull(pen) market in Milwaukee  —  As the industry-wide search for bullpen help continues, the Giants, Rockies, Devil Rays and Nationals have expressed interest in trading for Brewers Class AAA right-hander Jose Capellan, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Capellan, 26, requested a trade …

Sore Jeter tiptoes out of game  —  Derek Jeter does not come out of a game very often, so when Miguel Cairo went to shortstop for the top of the ninth inning of last night's 6-4 loss to the Orioles, there was reason for concern.  Jeter had fouled a pitch off his right foot and was on his way for an X-ray.

Cabrera a maverick on, off the field  —  The likeness of a human skull sits atop a carved, four-foot stick leaning against Miguel Cabrera's locker in the Marlins' clubhouse.  —  Inside his cubbyhole is a small figure of a skeleton, what looks like two shrunken heads, strings of beads …

Mussina Falls Behind Early and Yankees Can't Catch Up  —  Every team in the majors has had a starter pitch five innings at least once this season.  Every team, that is, except the Yankees.  —  The season, of course, is only three games old.  And the man who is arguably the most important pitcher …

Edmonds is surprised he's not in the lineup  —  HOUSTON — If Friday didn't offer Jim Edmonds his first surprise of the season, it offered at least No. 2 or 3.  —  When the Cardinals' center fielder arrived at Minute Maid Park, Edmonds was so certain he was in the starting lineup …

Remedies work for Tavarez  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - If this pitching business should go belly up for Julian Tavarez, he's got a future as a snake oil salesman.  —  Sitting atop Tavarez' shelf in his locker yesterday was a dented, former water bottle containing a slimy, muddy liquid that smelled …

Notes: Schmidt didn't expect offer  —  Benitez reports better health; Sweeney nearly ready  —  SAN FRANCISCO — To the casual observer, it may seem strange that the Giants would lavish a seven-year, $126 million contract upon Barry Zito yet not even make an offer to Jason Schmidt …