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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty of offence. With the regular season starting to wind down, they're providing a strong reminder that they can play pretty stingy defence, too.

ATLANTA - Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons is out of the lineup against the Chicago Cubs with a sprained left thumb. Centre fielder B.J. Upton replaced Simmons in the leadoff spot Saturday night for Atlanta.

CINCINNATI - Ian Desmond slapped his hands together as hard as he could when he approached home plate, about to score the go-ahead run in the 11th inning. His rough day was ending with a very good moment.

ATLANTA - Tip-off time is nearing. Time to see if Louisville can live up to the hype or one of those other guys can turn the Final Four into their party.

CHICAGO - The wind blew hot dog wrappers and napkins across the field, and wreaked havoc with every ball that went in the air. Dylan Axelrod said it was so bad he stepped off the mound a few times to keep from falling over.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - John Buck was glad to get the call — from the New York Mets in the winter, from Jim Joyce on Saturday.

TORONTO - Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia enjoys belting homers, but not as much as calling a two-hit shutout.

SAN FRANCISCO - On a day when Pablo Sandoval homered and singled in another run, the San Francisco slugger revealed he hardly feels comfortable in the batter's box. Not after missing 13 spring training games with an irritated nerve in his elbow.

OTTAWA - Shannon Szabados will soon do something she rarely does — play a full season with a female hockey team.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton says his wife had to call for security before his first game against the Texas Rangers because fans of his former team were shouting obscenities and personal insults at his family.