Fumble leads to Sox' loss  —  Shortstop Lugo hands one to Tigers  —  Comments from Clay Buchholz, Terry Francona, Jason Varitek, and Jonathan Papelbon after a tough loss by the Red Sox.  —  DETROIT - It was death by Q-tips.  —  An excuse-me, checked-swing roller.

Yankees have no answers for Lee  —  Wang takes first loss of season after receiving no support  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees were never able to break through against the Indians' suddenly tough Cliff Lee on Wednesday, but that alone hardly sets them apart from the rest of the American League so far this year.

Questions May Follow Clemens's Apology  —  When Roger Clemens tacitly acknowledged on Monday that he had engaged in extramarital relations, and apologized, he was seen as perhaps undermining the defamation lawsuit he filed in January against his former personal trainer Brian McNamee.

Gomez pulls off rare Twins cycle  —  Feat is the eighth in team history and first since Puckett in 1986  —  CHICAGO — Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has said numerous times this season to never take your eyes off Carlos Gomez when he's at the plate, because you never know what the 22-year-old center fielder might do.

Teixeira's gamble should lead to big payday … Lately, the overwhelming trend for young stars has been to sign early in their careers, to take the money and stay, so to speak.  —  That's what makes Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira such a rare breed.  Incidentally, rare breeds don't come cheap these days.

Utley's RBI single gets Phils by Arizona  —  PHOENIX (AP)—Arizona's Conor Jackson celebrated his 27th birthday face-down in the dirt at first base after a nasty eighth-inning collision, then Eric Bruntlett and Chase Utley rallied Philadelphia to victory.  —  Bruntlett doubled in the tying run …

Mr. Redlegs Loses His Head  —  While making his pre-game laps around Great American Ballpark with his trusty sidekick “Gapper” at the wheel, Mr. Redlegs* took a spill off the back of a golfcart and literally lost his head.  —  I feel bad for the poor kids in attendance who were under the impression Mr. Redlegs was real.

Botts outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma  —  Outfielder/first baseman hitting .158 in 38 at-bats this year  —  SEATTLE — Jason Botts is on his way to Triple-A Oklahoma.  He'll join a crowded field of sluggers down there trying to earn playing time and the Rangers' attention.

Mulder sidelined by rotator cuff strain  —  Cardinals lefty's rehab stint on hold for seven to 10 days  —  DENVER — Currently in the Minor Leagues on a rehab assignment, Mark Mulder was diagnosed with a mild rotator cuff strain of his left shoulder on Wednesday morning.

A-Rod's rehab plan takes shape  —  If you're one of the many people (based on the e-mails) hoping Alex Rodriguez will play a rehab game or two at Trenton or Scranton, you're probably out of luck.  —  The tentative plan for A-Rod is to fly to Tampa on Thursday and pick up the pace of the workouts at the team complex over the weekend.

Dodgers' Esteban Loaiza goes on disabled list  —  Brazoban will be recalled, and Kershaw could be coming to the majors soon.  —  Esteban Loaiza was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of tightness and spasms in his right shoulder — a move that could create an opportunity …

Pirates Notebook: Wilson's return pushed back  —  It probably will be close to the end of May before Jack Wilson is back.  —  The Pirates' shortstop, out since April 3 because of a strained left calf, yesterday was moved to a less aggressive timeline, one in which he will need two to three weeks before his return.

Agent Boras defends client Perez  —  LOS ANGELES - Agent Scott Boras refused to accept that his client, Mets left-hander Oliver Perez, is “erratic.”  —  After winning his first two decisions, Perez has lost his last three, and his ERA is just south of 5.00.