Notes: Buehrle talks Cubs counterpart  —  Konerko takes leave of absence; Richar making adjustments  —  SEATTLE — Carlos Zambrano followed a similar path traveled by White Sox ace Mark Buehrle to a multi-year contract extension, a deal the hard-throwing right-hander agreed to with the Cubs on Friday afternoon.

Tavarez called to duty again  —  Los Angeles (71-51) at Boston (74-49), Sunday, 2:05 p.m. ET  —  Here he comes again, his arm ready for whatever abuse is needed.  —  Julian Tavarez is one of baseball's rare physical specimens, a career reliever who can join a starting rotation after a four-year break …

Francona refuses to close out Gagné  —  Manager Terry Francona said yesterday it would be "incredibly stupid" of him to change the way he's using Eric Gagné, despite repeated disastrous outings by the new Red Sox reliever.  —  Gagné, who threw 34 pitches Friday night …

Rizzuto's Secret of Youth Lasted for Years  —  The obituaries said Phil Rizzuto was 89 when he died last week.  That's because the baseball encyclopedias said that Rizzuto was 89.  And the encyclopedias said Rizzuto was 89 because that's what Rizzuto said.

Beltran powers Mets to sweep of Nationals  —  WASHINGTON - Carlos Beltran homered twice and drove in four runs and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 8-2 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.  —  Orlando Hernandez allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings for the Mets, who have won four straight overall.

Prospectus Q and A: Tim Raines by David Laurila  —  Tim Raines … David Laurila: Let's start with hitting.  I saw quotes from Curtis Granderson recently, where he talked about catching the ball out front rather than staying back and letting it get deep.  What are your thoughts on that?

Baltimore (57-64) at Toronto (62-60)  —  Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons believes Roy Halladay is as dominant as ever on the mound.  That does not bode well for the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Halladay looks to win his fourth straight start when he takes the mound against one of his favorite opponents …

Weathers' forecast calls for bright future ahead  —  Rapid ascent predicted for Rockies' top draft pick  —  If Marc Gustafson's predictions on player development in the Rockies' farm system come true next season, fans in Modesto, Tulsa and Colorado Springs should plan to go to the park early if they want to see Casey Weathers.

Sosa seeks vindication before his exit  —  Rangers slugger feels he has more to prove in baseball  —  ARLINGTON — Charismatic and charming as ever, Sammy Sosa is still a rock star.  —  He's just more of a backup singer than lead guitar player these days.  —  And he's fine with it.  For now.

Yanks Beat Tigers for Clemens' 353rd Win  —  NEW YORK — Roger Clemens won in his return from a suspension and Bobby Abreu hit a go-ahead homer that clanked off the foul pole, carrying the New York Yankees to a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Bellinger Like His Father but With More Power  —  Clay Bellinger played in the World Series with the Yankees, but the utility man was never really known for his bat.  —  His son, though, can sure hit the ball.  —  Twelve-year-old Cody Bellinger went 4 for 5, including an opposite-field …

Notes: Rangers looking for big hits  —  Top of order agrees with Kinsler; Eyre placed on disabled list  —  MINNEAPOLIS — This is what Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo is dealing with.  —  The Rangers starting lineup on Saturday had just two players hitting better than .260 — shortstop Michael Young and outfielder Marlon Byrd.

D-backs' P gets 4 hits, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  ATLANTA (AP) - Rookie right-hander Micah Owings went 4-for-4, including a pair of mammoth homers, drove in six runs and scored four times while pitching three-hit ball through seven innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 12-6 on Saturday night.