Nationals Can't Close Out Astros  —  HOUSTON, April 10 — When the ball finally settled into Brandon Watson's glove, he wasn't in the position he intended, and the ensuing throw home was more a faint hope than a true chance of gunning down the runner.  So it was that just before Watson's …

New ballgame  —  Another season of home improvement  —  It's amazing now to think there were plans to tear the thing down.  —  Fenway Park was in decay, we were told.  It was becoming a safety issue.  The old ballyard was ready to crumble and you could only do so much with another layer …

Out: Crisp has broken knuckle; no timetable given for return  —  The two-paragraph release issued by Red Sox physician Thomas Gill yesterday, and the equally brief comments general manager Theo Epstein made, indicated only that Coco Crisp has a nondisplaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …

Braves send Devine to Triple-A  —  Australian right-hander Moylan called up from Richmond  —  ATLANTA — After Monday night's home-opening win over the Phillies, the Braves announced that they are sending Joey Devine back to Triple-A Richmond.  —  Replacing him on the roster will be Peter Moylan …

Mets detail stadium financing  —  New York Mets executives gave financial details of their new stadium proposal during a city council hearing Monday, although the team has yet to satisfy demands from the council's Queens delegation to win their support.  —  In a six-hour hearing …

Notes: Hendrickson heading for the DL  —  Experiences tightness in shoulder after complete-game win  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The last time Mark Hendrickson felt tightness in his throwing shoulder, he was scared.  This time around, he said that he is more familiar about the feeling in his left arm.

Now, Winning It All Is the Only Thing  —  The groundskeeper Grant Kirbby putting the finishing touches on the team logo Monday at Yankee Stadium.  The Yankees play their home opener Tuesday.  —  It was 10 years ago this week, against the Kansas City Royals, that Joe Torre managed for the first time at Yankee Stadium.

Derrek Lee agrees to new five-year, $65M deal  —  CHICAGO — NL batting champion Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract, a deal expected to be announced Tuesday.  —  "It's fairly likely something will be worked out," agent Casey Close said Monday.

Green Monster and Manny  —  Each baseball season brings new books about the national pastime.  Some are stats-driven, a la Bill James's sabermetric specials.  Some go deep on hardball heroes and seasons past.  A few take swings at the game itself — none more mightily than ''Game of Shadows …

Crisp's star on the rise  —  Coco Crisp is shopping his idea for a new reality show to television networks.  The program, which mixes the elements of dating-themed programs with the reward opportunities of a game show, is tentatively titled, "May/December."

Chat with Randolph opened eyes  —  Mets outfielder Floyd has found motivation to gut out injuries  —  NEW YORK — As Cliff Floyd prepared to leave the Mets clubhouse Saturday afternoon, Willie Randolph pulled him aside.  Manager and left fielder discussed the circumstances of the rain-interrupted weekend …

Peek at the Week: Griffey's groove  —  Junior's recent success at Wrigley is noteworthy  —  Chicago was "My Kind of Town" for crooner Frank Sinatra, and Wrigley Field has been a friendly confine for Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. lately.  —  When the Reds open a three-game series …