Myers goes to bullpen, Lieber to start  —  The Phillies are mired in a 3-9 start and their manager recently challenged a reporter to a fight.  So what's next in Philadelphia?  Try shaking up the pitching staff.  —  Manager Charlie Manuel said Wednesday the Phillies will move Brett Myers into the bullpen …

Braves manager Bobby Cox signs contract extension  —  Franchise's winningest skipper under contract through 2008 season  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have signed manager Bobby Cox to a one-year contract extension through the 2008 season.

Phillies manager challenges radio personality to fight  —  As baseball season began, the Philadelphia Phillies were being eyed as a contender in the National League East.  In fact, outspoken shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the Phillies were the team to beat.  —  But the Phillies have stumbled …

Analysis: Why are Brewers outspending Pirates?  —  Despite similar markets, situations, Milwaukee's payroll $20 million higher  —  MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers, based in the National League's smallest market and a region two-thirds the size of Pittsburgh's, will outspend the Pirates …

Carpenter will resume his efforts to rehab  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will resume an exercise and throwing program today as a hoped-for first step toward returning to the mound next month.  —  Carpenter, on the disabled list retroactive to April 2 due to persistent swelling …

Tight Tigers community loses friend  —  Lifelong fan, poster among victims of Virginia Tech tragedy  —  DETROIT — Rick Moses still remembers the first time he and his good friend Brian Bluhm went to a Tigers game together.  It was a Cub Scout trip to Tiger Stadium for a game that Frank Tanana was pitching.

Matsuzaka gets aced out again  —  He fans 10, but Chacin and Jays handcuff Red Sox  —  TORONTO — Red Sox manager Terry Francona was astounded yesterday to learn of a common practice in Japanese baseball known as "kantoku show," in which a manager doles out cash to players he considers deserving of a little bonus after a victory.

Piniella may hunger for 12th pitcher  —  Lou Piniella debated all spring about whether to start the season with 11 or 12 pitchers.  —  The Cubs finally settled on 12, but with Angel Guzman sent to Triple-A Iowa to be converted back into a starter, how long can Piniella go with an 11-man staff?

Wright's 25-Game Hitting Streak Has a Power Shortage  —  David Wright will not quibble with his batting average, which is .327 after last night's 9-2 victory over the Florida Marlins.  In fact, Wright says "it's not important to me whatsoever."  He also has the team's record with a 25 …

Mariners ace Hernandez leaves game with elbow tightness in first inning  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Mariners ace Felix Hernandez left Wednesday night's 5-3 loss to Minnesota with tightness in his pitching elbow after he got just one out and allowed his first two runs of the season.

NY Yankees 9, Cleveland 2  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Kei Igawa had a baseball and a lineup card in his locker.  For the second straight night, the New York Yankees got a rookie starter his first major league win.  —  The Yankees used the same formula against the Cleveland Indians for the second night in a row …

Nats miss chances to stretch win streak  —  Williams struggles while Atlanta holds Washington down  —  WASHINGTON — Last week, the Nationals were able to defeat Braves right-hander John Smoltz by scoring two runs at Turner Field.  On Tuesday, they doubled their run total off Smoltz …

Jim Hendry on Line 2  —  Felix Pie made his major league debut yesterday and chipped in an RBI double.  Full disclosure: I'm a fan on a number of levels.  Pie's a big-time PECOTA tout, as the system rates him as one of the best prospects in the game.  He's on one of my fantasy teams, which could badly use his steals.

Dodgers put Schmidt on 15-day DL  —  He has mild inflammation in his pitching shoulder, but no one is convinced it's the reason for his loss of velocity.  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers handled Jason Schmidt's tender shoulder the same way his fastball has approached home plate — with great deliberation.