Wagner makes it bit of a wild finish  —  WASHINGTON - Billy Wagner's velocity was up, but his control was off.  The closer hit 96 mph while walking three batters in the ninth inning against the Nationals.  —  "It's ugly, but I've had uglier games," he said about yesterday's 31-pitch appearance.

From the Talk of the Town to Hardly Talking  —  THIS is about the day that George Steinbrenner almost talked to me.  —  George always used to talk to me, not to mention every other reporter who covered the Yankees.  Sure there were times when he didn't — wouldn't would be more exact …

Revved Sox  —  Winning streak hits 5 as they shine in home opener  —  So it wasn't quite last year's Opening Day.  No World Series banner unfurled, no rings, no Bill Russell, no laughing Mariano Rivera taking a bow, no Alex Rodriguez miscue to open the floodgates.  It wasn't perfect.

Kinsler suffers dislocated left thumb  —  Rookie second baseman likely headed to DL  —  ANAHEIM — Rangers rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler is probably headed for the disabled list after dislocating his left thumb in a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night.

Rockies spoil D-Backs' home opener  —  Counsell's three-run triple highlights offensive attack  —  PHOENIX — When he faced the Rockies last week at Coors Field, Diamondbacks starter Orlando Hernandez was at his craftiest.  —  The veteran right-hander threw from different arm angles …

The Real Chase  —  One of the biggest, most-hyped storylines of the 2006 season is Barry Bonds' pursuit of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and the all-time home run record.  Throughout spring training Bonds made headlines for whatever he did, and sometimes even for what he didn't do.

Mariners Notebook: Borchard in jeopardy  —  Lawton's return likely will drop OF from roster  —  CLEVELAND — Joe Borchard's time with the Mariners might not last past today.  —  Borchard is the likeliest of the Mariners to be moved off the roster to make room for Matt Lawton …

Rangers leading by bad example  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Rangers entered Tuesday having scored fewer runs per game (3.63) than every other team in the major leagues.  —  It's an unfamiliar position for them, as they usually rank at or near the top in scoring.

Hough defends Dickey  —  Old-timer checks up on demoted knuckleballer, tells him to stay upbeat  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Charlie Hough understands the predicament in which R.A. Dickey finds himself.  It's hard to be loved when you are a knuckleballer.  —  Hough, who called Dickey last week …

Wright could play his way into Cooperstown  —  That Mets third baseman David Wright appears to be toe-deep in a Hall-of-Fame career shouldn't come as much of a surprise.  —  Long before Wright was drafted in 2001 with the 38th overall pick, insiders were aware of his astounding potential.

Injured Anderson Making Big Plays  —  With a week left in spring training, it seemed doubtful Garret Anderson would be ready to open the season with the Angels, let alone play left field.  —  But Anderson, who missed three weeks of exhibition games because of a strained arch in his left foot …

Second stent puts Brocail's return on hold  —  MIAMI - Padres reliever Doug Brocail underwent a second angioplasty yesterday after recent tests discovered a coronary blockage separate from the one that required surgery March 11.  —  Manager Bruce Bochy said Brocail reported feeling heartburn …

Lack of Minority Investors Is Weakening Lerner Bid  —  With Major League Baseball officials saying they now expect a decision on the new ownership of the Washington Nationals by the end of next week, there were strong indications yesterday that a paucity of local minority investors is hurting …