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 …

Grand slams by Howard, Ibanez fuel Phillies' rally over Nationals  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez each hit a grand slam, rallying the Philadelphia Phillies to a wild 13-11 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday night for their fifth straight victory.

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 …

Ruiz scratched from Triple-A lineup  —  Phils catcher feels discomfort in strained right oblique  —  PHILADELPHIA — Catcher Carlos Ruiz was scratched from the lineup for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a rehabilitation game Monday night.  —  Ruiz took batting practice, but felt discomfort in his strained right oblique.

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?

Guthrie, O's fail to ace test  —  Orioles starter fails to take advantage again  —  There are certain responsibilities that come with being a staff ace, and Jeremy Guthrie, though still relatively new to the role, has not shied away from any of them.  So he'd be the first to acknowledge …

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.

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.

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.

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.