Rainout creates opportunities for Yanks  —  After first three games vs. Rays, rotation may be reshuffled  —  DETROIT — The large green blob circling over the Detroit metropolitan area offered little hope for baseball, but an afternoon rainout Sunday may create a window of opportunity …

Cubs complete sweep of Diamondbacks  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Daryle Ward was so sure he would play in the majors that he practiced his signature as a kid.  He may get a few autograph requests after his latest big hit.  —  Ward delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double in the eighth inning …

Padres acquire reliever Corey from Sox  —  Club to send player to be named or cash to Boston for righty  —  SAN DIEGO — When the Padres acquired right-hander Bryan Corey on Sunday, they achieved two things: They bolstered their bullpen and they brought in postseason experience.

Crisp thinks pink with big swing  —  Red Sox center fielder goes deep using commemorative bat  —  MINNEAPOLIS — On Mother's Day, the Red Sox were ready to think pink.  —  Seven of the nine hitters in Boston's starting lineup vs. the Twins came to the plate waving pink bats in support of the battle against breast cancer.

Greetings from Gate A-70  —  Flight from Detroit from Tampa: 9:24 p.m.  —  Time to kill: 7:24.  —  Ah, the exciting world of sportswriting.  As I write this, I'm sitting on the floor at the gate, my laptop plugged into the only outlet within seven miles and I'm watching old episodes of the West Wing.

Sox' talks with Rockies on Tavarez still alive  —  The Red Sox are still talking with the Rockies about a deal for reliever Julian Tavarez.  News of the talks, first reported in the Denver Post last week, have not died out, according to a major league source with knowledge of the situation.

Nats option O'Connor, call up Schroder  —  Lefty's demotion leaves hole in rotation as righty fills out 'pen  —  WASHINGTON — Following their 5-4 loss to the Marlins on Sunday, the Nationals optioned left-hander Mike O'Connor to Triple-A Columbus and recalled reliever Chris Schroder from Columbus.

Cards Notebook: Closer intrigue  —  MILWAUKEE — Closer controversy isn't unique to the Cardinals.  The Milwaukee Brewers continue to monitor Eric Gagne, who has become a source of controversy after dropping five save chances.  —  Brewers manager Ned Yost has remained four-square behind Gagne …

White Sox's Orlando Cabrera has leadership, will travel  —  SEATTLE - Orlando Cabrera views himself as a hired gun.  —  It remains to be seen whether the shortstop will have enough time with the White Sox to apply the leadership qualities for which he said he was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels.

Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church hit back-to-back homers as Mets blast Reds  —  Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning to support Oliver Perez and lead the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory Sunday over the bumbling Cincinnati Reds.

Dodgers lose no-hit bid, then game  —  Kuroda hurls 6 2/3 of hitless ball before bullpen struggles  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers were in desperate need of a solid pitching effort from a starter on Sunday against Houston, which they got from Hiroki Kuroda.

A few things....  Manny Ramirez is out of the lineup with sore right hamstring.  Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez phoned him this morning to tell him the hamstring was hurting after he ran hard to beat out a double-play ball in the 9th.  —  Ramirez, who has one hit in his last 15 at-bats, was having treatment this afternoon.

Rays finish sweep of Angels with 8-5 win  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Carl Crawford has played more games for Tampa Bay than any player in team history, so it was fitting that he delivered the blow that lifted the Rays into uncharted territory.  —  The surging Rays climbed five games …