Mets Seem to Have New Option for Perez  —  PHILADELPHIA — The morning after he all but pitched himself out of the Mets' rotation, Oliver Perez walked through the clubhouse with an ice pack on his right knee.  Just as he was about to address his murky future, Perez was intercepted by Jay Horwitz …

Roberts' book on A-Rod should be questioned  —  Not long ago, sports writer Selena Roberts compared the Duke lacrosse players to gang members and career criminals.  —  She claimed that the players' unwillingness to confess to or snitch about a rape (that did not happen) …

Astros tough it out to take series  —  Abbreviated start from Wandy aided by timely hits, 'pen  —  ATLANTA — With a bullpen depleted by overuse or injury, the Astros needed two things from Wandy Rodriguez on Sunday: an outing similar to the first five he made this year …

A-Rod's Antics Would Have Ruined These Red Sox: Scott Soshnick  —  The boys from Boston are scheduled to visit the bigger ballpark in the Bronx tonight, providing the Red Sox with their first glimpse at what one columnist satirically dubbed the House That Ruthless Men Built.

Aggressive Milledge Seeking Lost Form  —  SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Corey Patterson took his place behind the batting cage, nodding in approval as Lastings Milledge took his cuts.  An impending storm forced the players to the indoor cages before a recent rainout here at Alliance Bank Stadium …

Mets-Phillies Rivalry Already Turned Ugly  —  It took all of two games for the Mets-Phillies rivalry to turn ugly in the stands at Citizens Bank Park.  I emailed with Nick, the photographer behind these photos of a bloodied up Mets fan to get the story.  —  Nick's report below:

Monday Ten Pack  —  Eric Arnett, RHP, University of Indiana; Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State University  —  Just a quick note to college coaches: Stop it!  In the never-ending debate over pitch counts, I'm actually more than a bit liberal, feeling that most are far too cautious when it comes …

White Sox sign Ward to Charlotte deal  —  Veteran homers in first game with Triple-A club  —  Veteran first baseman/outfielder Daryle Ward signed a Minor League contract with the White Sox over the weekend, reported to Triple-A Charlotte, and went 2-for-4 with a home run in his first game on Sunday.

What's in a Name?  —  I have republished a few of my Dad's articles over the years in a series I dubbed the best of George Lederer.  As longtime readers of this site know, he covered the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Long Beach Independent, Press-Telegram from 1958-1968 prior to serving …

Zambrano could miss next start  —  Starter strains left hamstring running out bunt in fifth  —  CHICAGO — Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano strained his left hamstring running to first base in the fifth inning on Sunday against the Florida Marlins and could miss his next start.

Pitching matchups for the Boston series  —  Monday: LHP Jon Lester (1-2, 5.40) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00), 7:05, YES, ESPN  —  Tuesday: RHP Joba Chamberlain (1-0, 3.13) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (2-2, 7.22), 7:05, YES  —  Just wondering, but does anybody else question what is going on with the Yankees …