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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

SCHNEIDER CATCHES BAD BREAK ON ROAD BACK FROM DL  —  PHILADELPHIA — Omir Santos and Ramon Castro are getting a reprieve this weekend when it comes to worrying about their roster spots now that regular catcher Brian Schneider has been slowed further by a sore right calf.

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.

Poor Mets, poor fans  —  It's been a while since you last came to visit.  You weren't missed all that much.  We love to hate each other, sure, but it was kind of nice without you.  —  This is your first trip to town since last August.  Philly has been a little busy since then.

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.

Mannywood  —  OK, Dodgers, it's time to make your commitment to Ramirez a serious one  —  The Dodgers should stop waltzing around and make their marriage to Manny Ramirez a proper one.  I'm talking here about a real contract, not the truncated one they extracted during the off-season …

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 …

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.