Former MLB pitcher Gonzalez killed by lightning strike  —  CARACAS, Venezuela — Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday.  He was 33.  —  Emergency management official Herman Bracho …

Brewers set to sign Tavarez  —  Washington - As I reported two days ago, the Brewers' interest in veteran reliever Julian Tavarez has escalated to the point that they are prepared to sign him for the remainder of the 2008 season.  —  General manager Doug Melvin just told us that Tavarez worked …

Madden: McLaren finds ruin in Rhodes  —  In the Yankee Stadium visiting manager's office, where Willie Randolph held forth just a week ago in the midst of similar crisis, the equally endangered John McLaren was a picture of despair and frustration Sunday as he discussed the misbegotten fortunes of his Seattle Mariners.

NCAA Tournament Announcement Live Blog  —  John: Before the broadcast begins, let's reset our 16 regional hosts, listed by conference:  —  ACC (4): Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State  —  Big 12 (3): Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M  —  Big West (2): Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State

Atkins, Taveras hoping to avoid DL  —  Rockies saw three players placed out of action this weekend  —  DENVER — On a whiteboard in the Rockies' clubhouse, someone drew a sign saying, “Disabled List Inn: No Vacancy.”  Might as well have fun with the pain that's afflicted the Rockies.

Marlins set to start important road trip  —  Florida (29-20) at New York (23-25), Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET  —  MIAMI — The Florida Marlins, coming off a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks and taking 2-of-3 from the San Francisco Giants, now face their biggest test of the year — and it's on the road.

Coonelly, Huntington: Pirates seek rich, deep draft  —  President, GM address questions about No. 2 pick, money matters, and what happened with Wieters  —  In little more than a week, the Pirates' new management team will engage in its first Major League Baseball amateur draft, June 5-7 …

Mets mull minors stint for Heilman  —  DENVER - Aaron Heilman's struggles may land him in the minors.  Mets officials have discussed demoting Heilman and replacing him with Triple-A closer Carlos Muniz, who had three scoreless appearances with the Mets in April, the Daily News has learned.

WILLIE RANDOLPH MEETS WITH WILPONS  —  Willie Randolph's meeting with Mets' ownership is going to take place today at 2 p.m. at Shea Stadium today, the Post has learned.  The much-hyped summitt is slated to include Randolph, GM Omar Minaya and both Fred and Jeff Wilpon.  It should...

Keith Hernandez rips ex-mate Gary Carter on air  —  Keith Hernandez ripped his former Mets teammate, Gary Carter, during yesterday's game on Ch. 11, calling him “unconscious” after Carter openly campaigned for the managerial job currently occupied by Willie Randolph.

Edwar unhittable again, thanks to all new confidence  —  In his first in the majors, Edwar Ramirez simply lost his confidence.  The wispy righthander suffered a mound meltdown last July 20 against Tampa Bay - issuing four walks and a three-run homer without recording an out …

Joba's next step could be Wednesday  —  Joba Chamberlain's next step on the road to the rotation “probably” will come Wednesday in Baltimore, manager Joe Girardi said.  —  Chamberlain threw 40 pitches Saturday in his second stretch-out outing and is set to ramp it up to 55.

Young LA lefty impresses Cards  —  LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw was a name on a page to the Cardinals early Sunday afternoon.  Later in the day he was an indelible mark.  —  Just two months removed from celebrating his 20th birthday, Kershaw made his major-league debut a coming-out party …