Schilling, Ortiz lead Red Sox in opener  —  Veteran righty strong in win; slugger drives in three runs  —  ARLINGTON — It was almost as if the Red Sox spent the last few weeks of Spring Training orchestrating an ideal blueprint for Opening Day, and, without a hitch, orchestrated it to perfection once the curtain was raised.

Colletti, Dodgers committed to winning  —  General manager answers questions from fans online … Ned Colletti: Thanks again for taking the time to be with us today.  —  eman29: Is Nomar Garciaparra going to be OK?  —  Colletti: As far as Nomar is concerned, we're going to wait until …

Taking a Different Kind of Dive  —  NEW YORK As Alfonso Soriano was about to slide into home plate, he suddenly saw the bat at the last instant.  By accident, or perhaps as an emblem of his luck since becoming a National, the large black stick lay in exactly the worst place a bat can be …

Many issues to ponder … So what do you think of Barry Bonds now?  —  Are you rooting for him to launch fastballs on majestic parabolas into McCovey Cove?  Are you hoping he leads the Giants to their first world championship since moving to San Francisco?

Anna Benson drops divorce petition  —  Tabloid favorite Anna Benson no longer wants to divorce Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson.  —  On Tuesday, she dismissed the divorce petition she had filed last week in Atlanta, attorney Jeffrey B. Bogart said in a press release.

Cubs' plan: Keep Hendry  —  Extension for Baker probably would follow  —  CINCINNATI — The Cubs will begin negotiations Wednesday on a contract extension for general manager Jim Hendry, sources said.  —  A deal could be announced as early as Thursday.  —  It's no secret the Cubs …

Rollins owes La Russa one  —  The Cards' manager helped extend the hitting streak by asking for a strike.  —  Jimmy Rollins' hitting streak survived the long, cold winter, and he has two people to thank for that.  —  The first, of course, is himself.  While some players might have stiff-armed …

Upton expected to miss two weeks  —  D-Backs' top prospect will move to center field upon return  —  DENVER — Diamondbacks super prospect Justin Upton is expected to miss the first two weeks of the Minor League season after injuring his left shoulder this spring.

Notes: Backe's start delayed  —  Buchholz eager for season; Burke to volunteer in community  —  HOUSTON — Right-hander Brandon Backe will likely not make his first start of the regular season on Wednesday against the Marlins.  —  It's more probable that he'll pitch Game 4 …

Under The Knife  —  Jon Miller says that Opening Day means "every slate is clean, every playing field is level."  I can only wish that were true throughout the game.  I realize it seems hypocritical for someone who has written a book about steroids to say he's sick of the steroids story, but I am.

Lowe's double-bad day  —  Derek Lowe started the Dodgers opener today and kinda bombed—he gave up eight runs in five innings.  Either before or after the game, he also probably got word that revelations from depositions in his divorce case with Trinka Lowe were to be posted at RonFineman.com …

The Talent Gap  —  Their starting catcher, Ramon Hernandez, is an established talent though not immediately an impressive figure.  Around the infield, though, this team is good.  Jim Thome at first base, Luis Castillo at second base, Alex Gonzalez at short, and Troy Glaus at third?

Notes: Record six rookies start  —  Management renewed; German claimed off waivers  —  HOUSTON — In settling on Monday's starting lineup, Marlins manager Joe Girardi made some baseball history.  —  For the first time since 1900, regarded as the beginning of the league's modern era …

Pirates GM Littlefield gets contract extension through 2008  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pirates and general manager Dave Littlefield agreed Monday to a one-year contract extension through 2008, the second time in three seasons he got a new deal on opening day.  —  Pittsburgh has gone through 13 straight losing seasons.