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 …

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.

Pena's entrance lacked grace  —  The cheers that filled Fenway Park on the final two outs of the eighth inning in yesterday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays were — contrary to the view of Wily Mo Peña, who called them ''incredible" — either in relief or in jest.

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.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Neighborly Baseball  —  One of the underlying themes behind the aggressive approach that Kenny Williams and the White Sox took this off-season is that the Sox are competing not only with their AL Central rivals, but also against the Cubs for the hearts, minds …

Under The Knife  —  The Best Job in the World  —  In the four years we've been doing BP Radio, we've had some great guests.  It's easier at this point to name who hasn't been on rather than who has.  Whether it's chatting with Peter Gammons or Bill James, talking with Peter King or Rob Neyer …

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.

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 …