New approach, pain not eased  —  On the subject of the 2009 Daisuke Matsuzaka, no one accurately can say, “It is what it is.”  —  The truth is that no one knows what it's going to be, or when.  —  Yesterday he was an alternate version of the Dice-K we've come to know and, shall we say …

Phillies hit three homers, split series with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Shane Victorino homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 Sunday to split a four-game series between teams with the top two records in baseball.

Rosales … SAN DIEGO(AP) It was the kind of matchup that only an extra-inning marathon can produce - an infielder pitching to a batter working on an 0-for-6 afternoon, including four strikeouts.  —  With the Petco Park lights on as dusk fell, Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer off infielder Josh Wilson …

Hernandez, backed by 5 in first, gives Mets what they need  —  New York Mets pitcher Livan Hernandez delivers against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of their baseball game in Washington, Sunday, June 7, 2009.  (Charles Dharapak, Associated Press / June 7, 2009)

An Interview with Vince Gennaro  —  The economic downturn has hit many industries hard, including the sports industry.  This has led to a noticeable decline in free agent salaries, particularly for Major League Baseball.  I had a chance to sit down with Vince Gennaro, a noted baseball analyst …

Rob Dibble and Rob Neyer: TWITTER FIGHT!!!  —  MASN's Washington Nationals Analyst Rob Dibble and ESPN writer Rob Neyer had a rather mean-spirited indirect argument over the internets last night as Mr. Dibble responded to Mr. Neyer's article at ESPN.com entitled, “Nats, Dunn can't fight City Hall” …

Soriano powers Cubs to extra-inning win over Reds  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — The Chicago Cubs went to extra innings again.  Alfonso Soriano made it worth the wait.  —  Soriano led off the 14th inning with a home run and the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Sunday to win their weekend series.

Quick notes on Purke and Grichuk  — Klein HS (Tex.) LHP Matt Purke is looking for “Rick Porcello's deal” in the upcoming draft, according to industry sources familiar with his demands.  Porcello, who was drafted 27th overall by Detroit in the 2007 draft, received a deal worth $7.285 million …

Radical Situations Call For Radical Solutions.  —  Baseball is a funny game.  The day after Zack Greinke channels his 2005 form en route to giving up seven runs in five innings, hurtling the Royals ever deeper into the bottomless pit they fell into four weeks ago, the Royals have close to a perfect day.

Atkins starting to look like odd man out  —  ST. LOUIS — Starting Monday, the math won't add up.  The Rockies will have five players for four infield spots.  Somebody's going to sit.  It will likely be Garrett Atkins, who's expected to spell first baseman Todd Helton today, if he doesn't rev up his offense.

Tribe yet to decide on trade status  —  Indians waiting for recovering players, more results  —  CHICAGO — The Indians aren't officially open for business in the trade market, but they are at least setting up their stand, just in case.  —  Thanks to fortuitous placement in a division …