Bullpen betrays Yankees in Chicago  —  Rally after pair of rain delays spoiled on single off Chamberlain  —  CHICAGO — Joe Crede's run-scoring single off Joba Chamberlain in the bottom of the ninth inning was the game-winner on Thursday for the White Sox, who handed the Yankees rookie …

Athletics rough up Liriano in Big Hurt's return  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Frank Thomas won in his return to Oakland.  Rajai Davis got three hits in his Athletics debut.  —  Yet it was Donnie Murphy who delivered all the power.

Guillen: Derek Jeter ‘the perfect man’  —  About an hour before Ozzie Guillen called him “the perfect man” and “the best thing ever in the game,” Derek Jeter found a few minutes to chat about his future place of work.  —  Yankee Stadium is going, going ... a few months from being gone.

Phillies sit slumping Howard  —  MILWAUKEE - Ryan Howard was frustrated.  —  He angrily whipped his bat toward the visitors' dugout after he struck out twice in four at-bats Wednesday in a 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.  He sat quietly in front of his locker …

Ex-Ray Dukes cleans zoo cages, shortens probation  —  TAMPA — To get his misdemeanor probation cut short by five months, former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes spent 25 hours during the past week cleaning out cages and mopping at Lowry Park Zoo.  —  Attorney Grady Irvin and a team official …

Pelfrey's mouthpiece a distraction for opponents  —  Last Sunday night, as a national television audience watched Mike Pelfrey tangle with the Phillies on ESPN, the question probably came up a million times among viewers from Sacramento to Sioux City.  —  “What the heck is that guy chewing on?”

Dodgers announce stadium improvement plan  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a four-year upgrade plan for Dodger Stadium on Thursday that owner Frank McCourt said amounts to a new home for the team built around the nearly 50-year-old core of the old.

Reds don't want to rush Bailey, Bruce  —  Pitcher, outfielder developing, growing at Triple-A Louisville  —  CINCINNATI — Two-fifths of the Reds' rotation hasn't been getting it done.  The offense has sputtered as some hitters have been slow to heat up.  —  Help is only a phone call away …

Lack of save opportunities not fazing Wagner  —  WASHINGTON - The Mets are still waiting for their first no-hitter, but closer Billy Wagner estimated that he already was working on the third of his career when asked yesterday about his eight hitless innings to begin the season.

Lopez's 6 RBIs lead Nats past Mets  —  WASHINGTON - His grand slam deposited in the seats, Felipe Lopez clapped and screamed as he rounded first base, then smacked Tim Tolman's hand so hard while turning for home that the third-base coach shook off the sting.

Young MLB players seem to lean toward secure deals  —  AROUND THE Texas Rangers, it's known simply as The Talk.  —  Talented young second baseman Ian Kinsler heard it from All-Star shortstop Michael Young.  Young got it from veteran outfielder Rusty Greer.

NEW DAD A-ROD MAY DH TONIGHT  —  Proud father Alex Rodriguez rejoined the Yankees last night at U.S. Cellular Field handed out cigars to celebrate the birth of Ella Alexander, his second daughter and received congratulatory handshakes and hugs from teammates.

Despite Shortfalls, Delgado Is All Mets Have  —  Much of the resentment and anger that fans and even writers tend to feel toward inept or washed-up ballplayers could be cured by a bit of empathy.  No matter how much money they make, athletes are just like other people, and would prefer to do well rather than badly.