Embattled McLaren, Randolph, Yost fight on  —  They read the rampant speculation they'll soon be fired, hear the talk shows calling for their heads and see the concern on the faces of friends and family.  —  Baseball managers John McLaren of the Seattle Mariners, Willie Randolph …

Big injuries, slow start and now there's this ...  PHILADELPHIA — The last time the City of Brotherly Love witnessed a mismatch of this magnitude was the first fight in “Rocky III,” when Clubber Lang massacred Rocky Balboa.  —  Just like Lang's prediction for “pain,” you could see this one coming.

Sox' winning formula starts with Pedroia  —  Dustin Pedroia follows the flight of his run-scoring ground-rule double in the eighth.  Pedroia also made several sparkling defensive plays in Boston's win.  (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)  —  SEATTLE - When you play the word-association …

Marlins add to Mets' misery  —  NEW YORK — The Marlins feel awful about the media frenzy engulfing Mets manager Willie Randolph, whose job has come under intense scrutiny because of his team's poor play.  —  They certainly didn't help Randolph's cause Monday night.

“My Friend”  —  Heard the news this afternoon about the tragic death of a former teammate and friend Geremi Gonzalez.  —  The quote to head this piece is one that anybody that knew him will smile about.  Gonzo could not, under any circumstance, remember ANYONE'S name.

Braves on road to greatness  —  Memorial Day arrived with the Braves in second place.  They'll be in first by the Fourth of July, and come Labor Day they'll be pulling away.  —  Only a team of playoff caliber could have handled all the Braves have been forced to handle, and eventually some of these pitchers will get healthy.

The metamorphosis of Joba  —  Making Chamberlain a starter could be a mistake  —  The metamorphosis of Joba Chamberlain from set-up reliever to starting pitcher is afoot.  —  It began with a curious two-inning, 40-pitch outing against the Seattle Mariners.

Angels, and Garret Anderson, will take this one  —  Left fielder walks on four pitches with the bases loaded in the 12th, forcing in the only run in the Angels' first extra-inning game this season.  —  All the strategy in the world means nothing without execution.  Garret Anderson took four pitches, and the Angels won.

College Baseball: The Road to Omaha  —  The Miami Hurricanes (47-8), which regained the No. 1 spot in the final regular season Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, and USA Today/ESPN polls released on Monday, were selected as the top seed for the 64-team NCAA Division I Baseball Championship that begins this Friday.

Midland slugger knocks in 10 runs  —  After Midland RockHounds first baseman Tommy Everidge produced the best slugging performance in Drillers Stadium's 28-year history, teammate Joe Gaetti had an explanation for the slugger's Memorial Day success.  —  “Power of the mustache,” …

Preliminary aging curve for fastball speed  —  Understanding how players age is very important when examining them and their careers.  It is essential when people try to look in the crystal ball to determine just how good a hot prospect could be in a few years or if an aging star might have a good year or two left in him.