Volstad Bounces Back After Rough 1st, Cubs Lose  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — If Chris Volstad could erase the first inning, his winless streak would be over.  —  Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

Sources: MLB eyeing end to annual rival series  —  HOUSTON — Major League Baseball is working on a scheduling reconfiguration for the 2013 season and beyond that likely will eliminate the Mets and Yankees as well as other “natural rivals” playing home-and-home, six-game series annually, baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com.

David Ortiz continues to sizzle; Red Sox beat A's 11-6  —  BOSTON - David Ortiz [stats] finished the best April of his career with a pair of solo homers, Mike Aviles hit a three-run shot and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] beat the Oakland Athletics 11-6 on Monday night.

Braun looking to settle into a rhythm  —  SAN DIEGO — At some point, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke expects left fielder Ryan Braun to settle into a rhythm.  So far, Braun's season has been a collection of streaks.  —  After an 0-for-5 Opening Day, the first hitless opener of Braun's career …

Juan Nicasio Pitches Rockies Past Dodgers 6-2  —  DENVER (AP) — Juan Nicasio pitched six solid innings, Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run double and the Colorado Rockies overcame Matt Kemp's latest homer, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 Monday night in the first of 18 meetings this season between the NL West rivals.

Milwaukee's Ryan Braun Has 1st Career 3-Homer Game  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ryan Braun hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his career, connecting in consecutive at-bats against the Padres at spacious Petco Park on Monday night.  —  The Milwaukee Brewers' slugger hit a solo homer …

Rays Sign Hideki Matsui  —  The Rays announced that they signed Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract.  Matsui, who turns 38 in June, will report to extended Spring Training on Wednesday.  —  “Over the past two decades, Hideki has been one of the most consistently productive hitters in the world …

Johnson has RBI single in 12th, gives Ray win  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Elliot Johnson hit an RBI single with one out in the 12th inning, giving the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2, comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.  —  Playing before a crowd of just 9,458 …

Kuroda and the Yankees Block Off the Orioles  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Hiroki Kuroda pitched seven neat innings and teamed with catcher Russell Martin to nab Nick Markakis at the plate in the key play of the game, lifting the New York Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Monday night.

Rangers handle Jays as Darvish dazzles again … TORONTO — Yu Darvish won his third straight start, Mitch Moreland and Craig Gentry homered and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Monday night.  —  Darvish (4-0) allowed his first home run but remained unbeaten in five major league starts.

Hunter HRs, Wilson Solid in Angels' Win Over Twins  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Wilson pitched five-hit ball into the eighth inning, Torii Hunter homered and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Angels returned from a rough road trip with a 4-3 victory over the miserable Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

MLB to suspend Tigers' Young for anti-Semitic incident  —  Delmon Young during a court appearance on Friday night.  —  Yer out!  —  Major League Baseball has decided to suspend Detroit Tigers slugger Delmon Young because of his drunken anti-Semitic rant and arrest, two sources have told The Post.