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 punish D-backs in familiar fashion  —  Third straight come-from-behind victory marks series sweep  —  CHICAGO — Everything went the Cubs' way this weekend, even the weather.  —  Heavy rain blanketed Chicago all morning, forcing Cubs manager Lou Piniella to scratch starter Carlos Zambrano …

Mariner exec Shaffer taking a look at Griffey  —  There may be more to the Mariners interest in Ken Griffey Jr. than Seattle management has been willing to let on  —  Reports out of New York say that Duane Shaffer, in his first season as a special assistant to Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi …

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.

This 1 is long gone  —  Sox can't withstand Twins' HR barrage  —  Tim Wakefield couldn't bear to watch after Adam Everett's two-run homer in the second.  (Eric Miller/Reuters)  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Manny Ramírez, sore right hamstring and all, stood in the batter's box.

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.

Texas Rangers place Millwood on DL, call up rookie  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - A day after his start lasted just 12 pitches, Kevin Millwood was was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right groin.  —  Right-hander Doug Mathis' contract was purchased …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …