Nick Adenhart of Los Angeles Angels killed in car crash in Fullerton  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people were killed early Thursday when a minivan ran a red light and struck the sports car they were traveling in, authorities said.

CORRECTING SHEFFIELD'S CRITICS  —  I have come not to bury Gary Sheffield as so many others have since the Mets signed him unexpectedly last week on the eve of the opening of the season.  Have I come to praise him?  Not necessarily, but I would like to offer a fairer picture of the veteran slugger than usually is presented.

Dodgers falter at the finish against Padres  —  They surrender a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and strand a runner at third with no outs in the ninth inning.  —  Reporting from San Diego — Perhaps this was only one bad inning in one bad game.

Oliver Perez tagged for eight earned runs as Mets lose to Reds, 8-6  —  CINCINNATI - Oliver Perez's struggles continue into the regular season.  —  Perez was charged with eight runs on five hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings as the Mets lost to the Reds, 8-6, Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Ichiro gets seven hits in Minors action  —  Mariners right fielder triples twice in Rookie League game  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki was the leadoff hitter for both teams in a five-inning Rookie League intrasquad game on Thursday afternoon in Peoria, Ariz.

Obama won't throw Nats' first pitch  —  President Barack Obama won't be at Nationals Park on Monday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals' home opener.  —  According to a White House aide, Obama will decline the team's invitation to throw the pitch in the game …

Braves' bullpen falters in difficult loss  —  Leading by seven in seventh inning, Phillies score eight  —  PHILADELPHIA — Just when it looked like things might be different this year, the Phillies once again managed to embarrass the Braves' pitching staff with a remarkable comeback that included more generosity than firepower.

Game 3: Yankees at Orioles  —  YANKEES (0-2)  —  Pitching today: RHP A.J. Burnett.  —  ORIOLES (2-0)  —  Roberts 2B  —  Jones CF  —  Markakis RF  —  Huff 1B  —  Wigginton 3B  —  Scott DH  —  Pie RF  —  Moeller C  —  Izturis SS  —  Pitching today: RHP Alfredo Simon.