Easy does it with Lugo  —  CLEVELAND - Armed with a 10-game winning streak and an effective Nick Green, the Red Sox aren't going to go crazy trying to incorporate Julio Lugo into an everyday role at shortstop until he shows he can handle it physically.  —  That seemed to me the theme of both Lugo and Terry Francona this afternoon.

Quality Start and 9 Hits Add Up to Mets Victory  —  A bucket of baseballs was crushed to the nether regions of Citi Field on Monday night, but only one hit plopped into the stands.  It was sent there by Mets catcher Omir Santos, their backup turned starter, for a grand slam that had furious competition …

Tigers win third straight, send Yankees to fourth consecutive loss  —  DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander and Magglio Ordonez kept the Detroit Tigers rolling, and the New York Yankees slumping.  —  Verlander had a season-high nine strikeouts and Ordonez hit a two-run homer off CC Sabathia …

Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde still out with calf injury  —  CINCINNATI — Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde reached down and pressed his right thumb against the side of his right shin.  The tip of the thumb made an indentation that stayed long after he pulled his hand away.

Padres add Gaudin, designate De La Cruz  —  Veteran righty was signed to Minors deal April 12  —  Chad Guadin has made it back to the big leagues.  —  On Monday, the Padres purchased the contract of the right-handed pitcher from Triple-A Portland.  To make room for Guadin …

Alex Rodriguez, Chien-Ming Wang step up rehab programs in Tampa  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez increased the intensity of his workout and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang threw in the outfield Monday as part of their rehabilitation.  —  Rodriguez, who had surgery …

Is Papelbon OK?  —  So far, Jonathan Papelbon has gotten the job done for the Red Sox, but The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin wonders if something is wrong with the Sox closer because he's not getting as many batters to swing and miss this season.  Is it a concern?

Pineiro improves to 4-0 as Cardinals edge Braves  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Rick Ankiel drove in two runs for St. Louis to back another strong outing by Joel Pineiro, who equaled the best start of his career when the Cardinals edged the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Monday night.

PUTRID PEREZ FACES BULLPEN OR MINORS  —  The Mets might have been better off lighting that $36 million on fire.  —  Just four starts into Oliver Perez's dubious three-year deal, the Mets already are running out of patience with the mercurial left-hander after he imploded again yesterday in an 8-1 loss to the Nationals.

Irabu to make comeback in independent league in U.S.  —  Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu (file photo) has come out of retirement and made a contract with Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League, his management revealed on April 27.

A painful awakening for Cubs: Bats finally erupt to help snap skid vs. Cardinals, but sore neck puts Lee out of lineup  —  Bats finally erupt to help snap skid, but sore neck puts Lee out of lineup  —  ST. LOUIS — The Cubs escaped St. Louis with a win Sunday as the lineup finally awoke from a four-day slumber.

Expiration Date  —  Next weekend, I plan to meet my former teammate and good friend Marlon Anderson here in Chicago.  His family will be in town for a wedding, and it is one of those rare occasions since I stopped playing baseball when he and I will be in the same city.  —  But isn't he supposed to be in uniform?

Garcia labors in Buffalo; contemplating retirement  —  Let's just say this: Freddy Garcia is NOT the answer if anyone ever gets bumped from the Mets rotation.  Pitching for Triple-A Buffalo on Monday night, Garcia served up a grand slam to Ryan Langerhans in a six-run fifth inning after which he was pulled.