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.

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 …

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.

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.

Mailbag: What's motivating the Mets?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  As a lifelong Mets fan I'm finding myself more irritated this year.  This offense should not be shut out by a Minor League pitcher and a last-place Nationals team at home.  Why is there no “fire” on this team?

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 …

Pitcher Analysis: Clayton Kershaw  —  Clayton Kershaw, a 20-year old phenom in the Dodgers organization, is one of the top pitching prospects in the nation.  Today (5/25), Kershaw made his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Millions of Dodgers fans watched to see the kid touted …

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.

Joe Nathan and the Modern Closer  —  Once upon a time teams would utilize the bullpen's best pitcher most often, calling on their top reliever whenever crucial, game-changing situations arose and frequently leaving them in for multiple innings.  Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s …

Perez is not the Cardinals closer  —  La Russa won't rush rookie; Franklin first option in ninth  —  LOS ANGELES — Fans and even opponents are buzzing about Cardinals rookie Chris Perez, but manager Tony La Russa intends to exercise patience with the hard-throwing right-hander.

Quentin's second HR gives White Sox win  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Carlos Quentin doesn't want the attention.  The way he's playing, he can't avoid it.  —  Quentin led off the ninth with his second homer off John Lackey, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 to avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday night.