Rare Rivera blown save leads to loss  —  Closer gives up slam to Kubel as Yanks can't finish sweep  —  NEW YORK — The reality of Mariano Rivera coughing up a late-inning lead still serves as a jolt to the senses after all these years, a rare occurrence that seems to compel those in pinstripes …

If losing continues, Sox could be losing veteran players too  —  Rangers inquire about availability of Pierzynski  —  A.J. Pierzynski is tagged out while sliding into third by Royals' Alberto Callaspo.  (Jamie Squire, Getty Images / May 16, 2010)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. …

Storen to join Nats tomorrow  —  DENVER — Drew Storen is about to join the Nationals' roster.  —  The rookie reliever will have his contract purchased from Class AAA Syracuse and is expected to join the big-league club tomorrow in St. Louis, according to a source within the organization.

Tigers on a roll in Motor City with win vs Red Sox  —  DETROIT - Ramon Santiago hit a two-run homer and Armando Galarraga was sharp in his first start of the season, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox [team stats] 5-1 on Sunday.  —  Detroit became the first team …

Sizemore day-to-day with knee contusion  —  BALTIMORE — Cleveland outfielder Grady Sizemore is considered day-to-day after he left Sunday's victory over the Orioles in the fifth inning due to a left knee contusion.  —  Sizemore hurt the knee when diving back into first base following his RBI single in the third inning.

Dodgers beat Padres 1-0 for seventh straight win  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The way Chad Billingsley and the bullpen pitched, the Los Angeles Dodgers got by with just two hits.  —  Russell Martin hit an RBI single in the sixth inning and the Dodgers beat the first-place San Diego Padres 1 …

Reds stifle Cards, move into first in NL Central  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Moments after Jay Bruce caught a routine fly for the final out, the public address announcer called everyone's attention to the standings board behind the right-field seats, the one that was about to reflect a seismic shift in the NL Central.

Davis has heart condition  —  Brewers pitcher Doug Davis was scratched from his Sunday start and placed on the 15-day disabled list with a heart condition called pericarditis, an acute inflammation of the lining around the heart.  He is being treated with anti-inflammatory medication and the situation is not life-threatening.

Sources: Mets have payroll for pitching, not for Pedro  —  Oliver Perez has been banished to the bullpen.  Jon Niese is injured.  John Maine began his start Saturday by throwing 12 consecutive balls.  The Mets know they need pitching and, according to sources, they will have the payroll flexibility …

Niese aggravates right hamstring, exits game  —  Righty returning to New York for further tests on injury  —  MIAMI — Moments after Jon Niese first injured his right hamstring last May at Citi Field, Mets trainers asked him to throw a test pitch on the mound.  He did, then toppled over in pain with a severe tear of the muscle.

ROCKIES ACTIVATE FRANCIS, TO START VS. NATS  —  DENVER — Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis will pitch for the first time in more than a year Sunday after being activated from the 15-day disabled list.  —  The North Delta, B.C., native will start in the final game of a four-game series with Washington.

MLB Committee Fought to Keep Blacks Out Even After Robinson Signing  —  At the Reds' Great American Ballpark, the likes of Willie Mays, Bud Selig, and Jimmie Lee Solomon are taking part in festivities around the annual Civil Rights Game between the Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.