Prospectus Today  —  Rays of Enlightenment  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in baseball.  Even the most optimistic projections for the Rays didn't see this kind of performance coming.  Nate Silver's PECOTA projections had them at 88-74, third in the AL East behind the usual suspects.

Dominican phenom Inoa agrees to deal with A's … ORLANDO, Fla. — Dominican prospect Michael Inoa has agreed to a minor league contract and a $4.25 million signing bonus with the Oakland Athletics, said the 16-year-old from Santo Domingo.  —  Inoa and his parents turned down more lucrative offers …

Manuel Is Trying to Get Martínez Back on Track  —  ST. LOUIS — Whenever possible, the Mets have given Pedro Martínez an extra day's rest.  Given a chance to do so this week, however, Manager Jerry Manuel declined.  —  Martínez is scheduled to start Wednesday night …

Madden: Yanks have same old problems  —  Even though George Steinbrenner has faded from view and silenced his old back-page bluster, it is safe to say the Yankees have lost none of The Boss' “Barnum” and remain the greatest show on Earth.  —  At least off the field.

LINE-DRIVE SCARE FOR DUANER  —  ST. LOUIS - Duaner Sanchez's star-crossed career flashed before his eyes last night.  —  The Met reliever, who missed nearly two full seasons after wrecking his right shoulder in a 2006 cab accident, said he relived that nightmare when he took a Yadier Molina liner off …

MADGE'S BASE BAWL  —  STUNG BY BUZZ OF COZY A-ROD VISITS  —  Now that's a squeeze play!  —  Madonna yesterday strongly denied reports that she and Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez have been cozying up at the unhappily married Material Mom's Upper West Side pad.

Rockies report: Rays' interest in Fuentes increases  —  RAYS' INTEREST RATE  —  Tampa Bay's interest in left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes picked up in light of Rays closer Troy Percival returning to the disabled list after aggravating the left hamstring that originally forced him to the disabled list.

Postgame notes: Duncan in a sling  —  No surprise, Shelley Duncan had his arm in a sling and is scheduled to see a doctor on Wednesday.  Duncan said he believes he separated his shoulder, and he knew pretty quickly that something was wrong.  His catch was pretty remarkable …

Hank Steinbrenner: Yankees need to wake up  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Hank Steinbrenner wants the New York Yankees to flash their offense as they enter what could be a key point of their season.  —  “We've got to start hitting,” he said Wednesday.  “It's getting ridiculous.

Gillick's name popping up in Mariners' rumored future  —  SEATTLE — The supposition is that Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and president Chuck Armstrong will name a permanent general manager to replace Bill Bavasi sometime between now and shortly after the season ends.  —  Unless, of course, they don't.

Cain's gem lifts Giants past Cubs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain had been thinking a lot about this outing and how much he needed to bounce back with a great start.  Then he went out and pitched one of his best games yet in 2008.  —  Cain struck out 10 in eight shutout innings …

This is confusing  —  The Yankees had a runner on first base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and were down 3-2 tonight.  —  Derek Jeter was on the bench.  But Melky Cabrera stayed in the game and grounded into a double play.  This would be the same Melky Cabrera who was 0 for his last 18 when he stepped to the plate.