Boston's five homers sink Yankees  —  Record four straight help Red Sox complete three-game sweep  —  BOSTON — The record-tying flurry of four straight home runs struck by the Red Sox in their stunning bottom of the third inning were all no-doubters.  But quite a ways after …

The Business Of Baseball  —  Three years ago, the 30 Major League Baseball teams posted an operating loss (in the sense of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $57 million.  Last season they earned a record $496 million.  Despite its ongoing steroids scandal …

Notes: Twins in need of third catcher  —  Castillo, White still not ready to return; no BP on Sunday  —  KANSAS CITY — After Mike Redmond went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs Saturday afternoon, it was obvious the backup catcher was going to be back in the lineup for Sunday's game as the designated hitter.

Piniella's plea: I need a 12th pitcher, pronto  —  Since Angel Guzman was sent to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, manager Lou Piniella has been adamant about the need for a 12th pitcher.  —  After using five relievers on Sunday in the 12-9, 10-inning loss, Piniella's message to management was loud and clear.

Wainwright didn't feel tired  —  Fatigue factor?  —  CHICAGO — Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright, having his second uneven start since he tossed 113 pitches in a game April 11 in Pittsburgh, couldn't hold a 7-4 lead in the sixth Sunday, allowing a three-run homer to Chicago Cubs third …

Contract finalization due today; Lopez extension not ready  —  The Mariners will announce their final nine contract signings of the spring today.  —  The club traditionally wraps up all contract negotiations before the start of Cactus League play.  If the club and the player can't agree on terms, the Mariners will impose a contract.

Marlins' pitch for stadium cash apt to fall short  —  TALLAHASSEE — On a seven-year losing skid but starting with their best prospects ever for a second $60 million subsidy for a new baseball stadium, the Florida Marlins are yet again down to the late innings in the spring legislative session with the outcome in jeopardy.

Pirates Notebook: LaRoche hearing advice from all over  —  LOS ANGELES — When is a critical home run almost completely devoid of meaning?  —  So far, that has been the case every time for Adam LaRoche, at least as it relates to snapping out of his season-long slumber at the plate.

Braves get scare with McCann  —  New York — When Brian McCann hopped from the batter's box Sunday, clutching his left hand and grimacing in pain after being struck by a pitch, Braves Nation held its collective breath.  —  And manager Bobby Cox held his.  —  "He better be OK …

O's sweep Jays away … The Orioles, almost to a man, insist that they're not trying to send any messages.  Not to opponents, not to the rest of the league, not to all of baseball.  If they beat a division rival, the only significance is that they've won another game.  Each one counts the same.

Cleveland 6, Tampa Bay 4  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Garko needed a big hit — and so did the Cleveland Indians.  —  Garko hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning and the Indians rallied past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6-4 on Sunday, overcoming an outstanding pitching performance by James Shields.

Skipping Along to a Victory, Mets' Pérez Goes Without Walks  —  Oliver Pérez has this superstition about foul lines.  He avoids them.  Ever since he was a Little Leaguer in Mexico, where he was warned not to step on the fresh chalk, Pérez has skipped over foul lines on his way to and from the mound.

Tribune buyout hampering Zambrano deal  —  Talk about rotten timing: Just as Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano was set to sign a five-year contract extension, the team's parent company, the Tribune Co., accepted a complex buyout offer and announced it was selling the club.  —  FOX Bite  —  Videos