Lastings' latest bad rap  —  Foul mouth strikes out  —  Lastings Milledge's rap has gone from bad to worse.  —  Milledge, who ticked off Met teammates last season with his on and off-the-field antics, has taken poor judgment to a new level, performing on a rap song that would make Don Imus blush.

Pain, no gain, no Crain  —  The news got worse for the Twins after the Indians' six-run first, with a key reliever, righthanded setup man Jesse Crain, headed for the DL.  —  CLEVELAND - Ramon Ortiz might need fixing, but Jesse Crain has broken down.  —  Crain, a key righthanded setup man …

Staying in Seattle a 'touchy subject' for Ichiro Suzuki  —  The wafer-thin Japanese ballplayer with the bewildering swing and intriguing style possesses uncommon ardor, athletic integrity and intelligence.  As a bona fide baseball pioneer, he respects the national pastime as if he were an apple pie-and-mom American.

Cabrera's weight an issue as slump expands  —  · Fair or not, just about any fan criticism of the Marlins these days includes Miguel Cabrera's physique among the root problems.  —  Cabrera is in a slump?  Someone will say it's because he's fat.  He made an error at third?

The Big Picture  —  More Rescheduling  —  The previous column on rearranging the majors into five six-team divisions elicited many favorable comments and a number of questions and suggestions.  The main questions concerned how to arrange the divisions and how to schedule the season.

ESPN LIKELY TO AIR CLEMENS' CLASS-A START  —  ESPN confirmed rumors last night that it is planning to broadcast the Rocket's Class-A start with Tampa on Friday night, though the decision was not yet official late last night.  —  "We are in the process of discussions to try to showcase coverage …

'Big Unit' still has firepower  —  Johnson strikes out nine in his first win of season  —  Box score  —  At the age of 43 and coming off the second back surgery of his career, Randy Johnson might not be what he once was.  The Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander is still pretty darn good, though.

Kid Brother Takes His Cuts  —  His own baseball career died in the minor leagues when every fly ball off his bat seemed to die on the warning track, but he never considered the shortcut some of his contemporaries took.  —  They stuck a needle into their butts.  He refused.  They made millions in the majors.

Notes: El Duque's return draws closer  —  Pitcher throws in simulated game, could be back in two weeks  —  NEW YORK — Thursday's Mets starter may remain missing in action, but the man originally penciled in for that slot is not.  —  Orlando Hernandez tossed 60 pitches in a simulated …

Jason gets new shoes and a rest  —  CHICAGO - Jason Giambi was still nursing a bone spur in his left foot yesterday, but rain washed away the Yankees' game against the White Sox, giving the DH and his teammates the night off.  —  With lefthander John Danks starting for Chicago …

Jays' Litsch excels in debut  —  Rookie throws eight efficient innings in win over Orioles  —  TORONTO — Jesse Litsch stood in front of his first Major League locker with his arms crossed and smiled.  After what just took place, the Blue Jays rookie could only describe his night one way.

Sternberg's blind ambition tour hits town  —  I blame Orlando.  For Rocco Baldelli's hamstring.  For the ball hit over B.J. Upton's head.  For James Shields' pitch count.  —  Mostly, I blame Orlando for the stars in Stuart Sternberg's eyes.  —  He is a dreamer, your Devil Rays owner.

Player Profile  —  Matt Holliday  —  Matt Holliday was a highly touted prospect in the Rockies organization after a few seasons in the low minors, but struggles and inconsistency led to his being lowered in prospect lists, and prompted the disbelief that he would ever fulfill his potential.

Speigner Set To Make First Career Start  —  Nationals pitcher Levale Speigner grew up in Thomasville, Ga., four hours south of Atlanta.  As a kid, a few times a year, he and his family made that drive to watch the Braves play.  He remembers when many of the team's mainstays — John Smoltz …

Villone could be a relief for what ails Phillies  —  The Phillies want to improve their bullpen.  If they are to have any hope at all of being a competitive team this season, they need to improve their bullpen.  —  Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said yesterday the team isn't content …

Bucs' Snell wants fans to 'lay off' LaRoche  —  Pitcher Ian Snell wishes fans at PNC Park would stop booing Adam LaRoche, who went into last night's game batting .168.  —  "I think they need to just lay off him," Snell said Tuesday.  "He's gonna hit; it's just a matter of time.  The booing's just gotta stop.