Clemens gets NL ring, remains unsure of future  —  HOUSTON — Even Roger Clemens' sons want an answer.  —  Clemens watched on television Monday night as the Houston Astros beat the Florida Marlins in their season opener.  —  "My little ones, they're putting their two cents in every night …

Penny shines as Dodgers edge Braves  —  Righty allows one run, fans eight; Drew hits two-run homer  —  LOS ANGELES — Brad Penny struck out eight in five innings and J.D. Drew homered, as the Dodgers held on to beat the Braves, 5-4, on a rainy Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Jackson: Baseball and police failed to protect Bonds  —  Jackson: Baseball and police failed to protect Bonds  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson says Major League Baseball and San Diego police failed to protect Barry Bonds and should be trying to find out who threw a syringe at him in the Giants' opener.

Angels run out of rallies  —  Blasts by Anderson, Rivera, Salmon can't cap comeback  —  SEATTLE — Pitching is designed to be the stabilizing force for the Angels this season, but John Lackey's outing Tuesday proved that any plan is only as good as its execution.

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 …

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 …

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.

Mailbag: Do Nationals want Church?  —  Beat writer Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … It seems to me that the Nationals no longer want Ryan Church around, ever since he suffered the toe injury last year.  Why don't the Nationals just trade him?  — Vince, A, Denver

Estes debuts against former team  —  San Francisco (0-1) at San Diego (1-0), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  Looking for his 100th Major League win, southpaw Shawn Estes makes his first start as a Padre against his original team, the Giants, for whom he won 19 games in 1997 and 15 in 2000.

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.

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 …

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 …