Mets' Sheffield hits 500th home run  —  Nine-time All-Star becomes 25th player in history to reach milestone  —  NEW YORK - Gary Sheffield hit his 500th home run Friday night to became the 25th player in major league history to reach the milestone, belting a drive to left off Milwaukee's Mitch Stetter leading off the seventh inning.

Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero (pec tear) out at least a month  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Vladimir Guerrero has a torn muscle in his chest and will miss at least a month.  —  The Angels sent the slugger to Los Angeles on Friday to be examined by noted team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum, who found Guerrero's pectoral tear.

Yanks Laud Attendance, but Some Seats Sit Empty  —  The Yankees' announced attendance Friday was 45,101, or 93.4 percent of the sold-out crowd for the Yankee Stadium opener Thursday.  Considering the usual drop-off for early-season games, the Yankees were encouraged.

The events leading up to Nick Adenhart's death  —  A memorial was set up at the Fullerton intersection for those who were in the car with Nick Adenhart.  —  Editor's Note: The times listed below are exact in some cases and approximate in others, based on the recollections of those interviewed for this story.

How often will this be the case?  —  This from the Associated Press from today's game story:  —  The 1,800 Legends Suite seats in the first nine rows ringing the plate, which cost between $500 and $2,625 each, were more than half empty at the start of the game as dozens of waiters …

O's can't hold off Red Sox  —  Orioles suffer 10-8 loss after early seven-run cushion  —  BOSTON - The Orioles learned long ago that no lead is safe at Fenway Park, but they had plenty to feel good about at the end of the top of the second inning on Friday night.

Kubel caps cycle with grand slam in Twins win  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jason Kubel's ear-to-ear smile was just as rare as the feat that prompted it.  —  Kubel has finally taught himself how to relax in his third season as a regular for Minnesota, and this was a fine way to loosen up: Hitting for the cycle with a go-ahead grand slam.

Morillo Claimed by Twins  —  Juan Morillo will join the Minnesota Twins.  —  The Twins were 21st in line to put in a claim, and were the first team that was willing to put up the $20,000 to acquire the hard-throwing right-hander from the Rockies.  —  When a player is placed on waivers …

New Stadium a launching pad?  —  There have been 34.5 innings played at the new Stadium and 17 home runs have been hit.  —  That's far too small a sample size to draw any conclusions from.  But that does seem like a lot.  Is the wind howling through those open concourses?

Nats, Zimmerman Closing In on Extension  —  The Washington Nationals are moving toward a 5-year, $45 million extension with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, a source said.  The deal is not yet finalized, but indications are that the contract could be announced within the next few days.

Philadelphia Phillies honor broadcaster Harry Kalas with ceremony  —  PHILADELPHIA — Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas was honored by the Philadelphia Phillies in a moving ceremony before Friday night's game against San Diego.  —  Kalas died Monday in Washington after collapsing …

Dodgers are West coasting  —  Mark Loretta's hit caps a four-run rally in the seventh inning to lift L.A. to its sixth consecutive win, all against division opponents.  —  What a glorious place, the National League West, where no deficit is insurmountable.

After winning big game, St. Louis Cardinals' P.J. Walters on hot seat  —  He makes debut Friday against Chicago Cubs and Carlos Zambrano  —  It isn't quite like the “old” days when Matt Morris and Dusty Baker had a way of stirring things up, and it isn't like the middle of the summer when fans …