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.

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 …

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.

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.

Ump Reynolds hit by warmup pitch  —  Veteran remained in Nationals-Cardinals game  —  WASHINGTON — Home-plate umpire Jim Reynolds was hit on the top of the head by a warmup pitch before the bottom of the seventh inning during Thursday's Nationals-Cardinals game.

Mets seem to lack heart  —  Three games separated the Mets from the Phillies at the end of the regular season last year.  Was there really only that much of a difference between the second-place team in the National League East and the eventual world champions?  —  The Mets thought so.

Weaver, offense bail out McDonald  —  We'll see what the postgame chatter says, but the walls really came tumbling down on James McDonald tonight.  After another perfect first inning, this time McDonald lost his control in the second — 36 pitches, 18 of them out of the strike zone …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Mets' star needs to get Wright  —  NEW YORK — A long day at the office left his eye-black in thick, unruly smudges, giving David Wright the look of a beleaguered quarterback, a guy who had endured far too many blitzes from the blind side.  —  He was standing by his Citi Field locker …