Garza flirts with perfection in win  —  Right-hander retires first 18 batters in opener with Boston  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays were falling early in the American League East standings, had just come off a tough road trip while losing their sixth straight series and badly needed a step in the right direction.

Dodgers add Weaver, activate Wade  —  DeWitt optioned to Triple-A; Mientkiewicz now on 60-day DL  —  LOS ANGELES — Underscoring concern over their pitching, the Dodgers on Thursday went to a 13-man staff, purchasing the contract of Jeff Weaver from Triple-A Albuquerque and activating Cory Wade from the disabled list.

Ted Keith: Ex-teammates saddened about A-Rod pitch-tipping allegations … When it was reported last February that Alex Rodriguez had tested positive for steroids in 2003, the reaction around baseball was mostly one of shock.  Thursday's revelation that Rodriguez might have been tipping pitches …

Melky, Pena produce big hits in 8th as Yanks win  —  The Brett Gardner Era may officially be over.  —  Melky Cabrera continued his quest to take back the centerfield job he lost to Gardner in spring training, lacing a tie-breaking single in the eighth inning against the Angels last night.

Bottom third of Orioles' lineup struggles  —  Zaun, Pie, Izturis have worst combined offensive stats of any Nos. 7-9 hitters in majors  —  The Orioles acquired the trio this offseason for vastly different reasons.  —  They wanted shortstop Cesar Izturis for his glove …

Prior reports shoulder soreness to Padres  —  Righty might have to ‘take a step back’ in comeback attempt  —  LOS ANGELES — Right-hander Mark Prior, who hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2006, reported soreness in his right shoulder after a bullpen session on Tuesday at the Padres' Spring Training facility in Peoria, Ariz.

Fear and loathing in Cooperstown  —  We were somewhere near the Castleton Bridge when the greenies began to take effect.  Joe W and I were flying through the Hudson Valley in a fire-apple red convertible.  I was wondering if he noticed the bats.  Our trunk looked like a mobile Mitchell Report.

It's good to be in the Wimpy West  —  Cheer up.  The American League has its own bridge over troubled waters.  —  It is called the Wimpy West.  And for the guys currently masquerading as Angels, nothing helps soothe their problems more than residing in the worst division in the league, if not the game.

New York Yankees seats still largely empty despite price cut  —  NEW YORK — Even with a cut in some top-priced tickets, the New York Yankees still had large numbers of empty seats in prime areas when they returned home for the second homestand at $1.5 billion new Yankee Stadium.

Baltimore's Walker fined for comments  —  Major League Baseball has fined pitcher Jamie Walker of the Baltimore Orioles for his remarks regarding Umpire Angel Hernandez following Baltimore's game vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.  The amount of the fine is undisclosed.

WRIGHT'S STARTING TO FEEL THE HEAT  —  FOR THE longest time, Mets fans spared the rod with David Wright.  Everyone else, up and down the lineup, up and down the roster, has heard the scorn plenty.  There's been contempt for the Carloses, Beltran and Delgado.  Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes did time turning DPs in the doghouse.