Late bloomers  —  Never-quit Red Sox score six in ninth inning to win  —  Imagine what must have been going through Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo's head when he turned, the frustration so clear, and slammed something down in the dugout after having watched a six-run ninth-inning Red Sox comeback …

Mariners 2, Yankees 1: Offensive Struggles Are Starting to Catch Up to the Yankees in the Standings  —  The Yankees have fallen so far behind the Boston Red Sox that every game seems to take on urgency, even this early in the season.  That is what made their Sunday so discouraging.

Rip Punches Hole In Beckett's Bid  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox learned a new word Sunday, and with it, a new worry.  —  Josh Beckett's bid to tie the franchise record with victories in his first eight starts came to an abrupt end when he was forced out after four innings because of an avulsion to the skin on his right middle finger.

Rockies in giant trouble  —  While the Rockies were otherwise occupied with being emulsified by the Giants on Sunday afternoon, Dealin' Dan O'Dowd emerged from his usual hiding place to grace the press with his presence and possibly to wave to his adoring public.

Rookie shorn in to hair club for Mets  —  It took about three hours, a razor and a line-drive double for Carlos Gomez to be welcomed into the majors yesterday.  —  Gomez was brought up to fill in for the injured Moises Alou.  An hour before the game, Gomez had his head shaved by several teammates and coaches.

Cards' bats silent in loss to Padres  —  Redbirds manage just three hits, shut out for sixth time  —  SAN DIEGO — Anthony Reyes committed his share of pitching sins on Sunday afternoon, but even so, there was little forgiveness for the right-hander when he did stray.