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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Williams Says His Confidence Level Is Fine  —  In the wake of a six-inning performance in which he allowed 10 runs, Jerome Williams wants everyone to know about his confidence level.  —  "It's up," he said.  "Let's get that clear.  It's up.  My confidence is fine."

The Strange Career of Wes Ferrell (SP Leverage, Part 4)  —  This is the fourth article in a never-ending series on starting pitcher leverage.  If you know the gist of these suckers, you can skip this paragraph .  For the rest of you, starting pitcher leverage refers to the once-common practice …

PROBABILISTIC MODEL OF RANGE ARCHIVES  —  Probabilistic Model of GDPs  —  A few days ago I introduced the idea of a probabilistic model of Ground into Double Plays (GDP).  The probabilistic model of range just measures the ability to turn a ball into an out.

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.

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 …

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.

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.