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 …

Safe: Sox lock up Ortiz's services with a four-year extension  —  Assuming continued good health, surreal production, and no marketplace adjustments, David Ortiz could have played out the remaining two years of his deal with the Red Sox ($6.5 million this year, $8.4 million next year) …

It's offical: Lee signs  —  Cubs All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee has signed a five-year contract with a no-trade clause for an estimated $65 million.  —  The club had been negotiating with Lee throughout the spring.  The first baseman, in the last year of his present contract …

Red Sox place outfielder Coco Crisp on 15-day disabled list, purchase the contract of outfielder Dustan Mohr  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today placed outfielder Coco Crisp on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 9) with a non-displaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …

House-hunting for Marlins on hold, for now  —  Marlins' management flirted publicly with San Antonio officials last week during the team's opening series in Houston, but while both parties would like to move quickly it doesn't appear the relationship will lead to marriage anytime soon.

Recognition comes early for Atkins  —  Play against Padres nets third baseman NL's weekly award  —  PHOENIX - Garrett Atkins epitomizes the Colorado Rockies.  —  He is easily overlooked.  —  But he would like to think he's ready to get some attention.  —  Chalk up a notch of notoriety for Atkins on Monday.

Field of screams  —  Qns. pols balk at Mets' offer  —  DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF  —  Seeking support for its stadium plan, the Mets have offered to spend $200,000 on sports programs for local kids - drawing howls of protest from some Queens lawmakers who demanded a $1 million payout.

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.

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."

M's take early trip  —  Leaving on Sunday creates rare true off day at cost of family time  —  CLEVELAND — Baseball teams play their 162 games in approximately 180 days, giving them about 18 off days during the season, not counting the All-Star break.  —  Many of the days off …

O Home Opener,  —  How I dislike your pageantry and the overabundance of the twin-set set in the stands.  But whatever works, and it's always nice to see the Cards Hall-of-Fame contingent out and about.  Red, in particular, looks spry; rather than open the door of the Ford Mustang and walk out …

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 …

New park, old feelings  —  They came, all 41,936 of them, to see something new.  —  There awaited the lazy slope of a spanking new ballpark, mostly brick and painted red with freshly laid bluegrass and scoreboards offering sharper colors with vivid signage.

Unsung Heroes In The Clutch  —  I've just started to read Baseball Between the Numbers (by the Baseball Prospectus Team of Experts).  So far, I like it.  (Once I am done, I will do a full review on it.)  —  In the beginning of the book there's a section on "clutch" hitting that I loved.

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.