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 …

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

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 …

Blue Jays finish 4-game sweep of Royals  —  TORONTO (AP)—Shaun Marcum won for the first time in four starts, Gregg Zaun hit a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Kansas City 7-2 Sunday to complete their first four-game sweep of the Royals.  —  Toronto outscored the Royals 23-4 …

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.

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 …

Start to finish, Cook cruises for Rockies  —  Complete-game effort against Mets team's first this season  —  In what has become a season of uncertainty for the Rockies, Aaron Cook has been a blessing.  —  Cook, long considered a potential ace of a staff, finally believes what others have been saying about him.

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.

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.

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 …