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.

Notes: Prior makes more progress  —  Throws 30 pitches in bullpen session on Tuesday  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior threw 30 pitches off the bullpen mound at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, including some breaking balls at the end, and is making good progress in his rehab from a strained muscle in his right shoulder.

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.

Loria wants Marlins' fate decided soon  —  MIAMI - Standing in the corner of the Florida Marlins' clubhouse an hour before their home opener Tuesday, owner Jeffrey Loria renewed his threat to move the team.  —  Loria said the Marlins will find another home if they're unable to swing a deal soon for a new ballpark in South Florida.

Pinstriped pop star  —  NEW YORK - Before he got to first, he blew a bubble.  Derek Jeter had just hit a home run to push the New York Yankees ahead in their home opener, and of all the things to do, he huffed until a bright pink globe of Bazooka formed.  Maybe it was a conscious move, and maybe it wasn't.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Red Sox sign Crisp to 3-year extension  —  BOSTON —Coco Crisp has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Red Sox, keeping the man who replaced Johnny Damon in center field in Boston until at least 2009, the team announced Wednesday.  —  The deal with Crisp …

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.