Nationals at a loss in home opener  —  Soriano's homer is all Washington can get vs. Mets  —  WASHINGTON D.C. — Tuesday's home opener for the Nationals was the antithesis of last year's opening night, which was a sellout crowd, and had President Bush throwing out the first pitch coupled …

Streaking Sox make it five straight  —  In Fenway Park opener, Lowell notches four hits  —  BOSTON — They took off their road grays, threw on their home whites and not a whole lot else changed.  And considering the way they played in their season-opening trip through Texas and Baltimore …

Padres-Marlins Preview  —  Off to disheartening starts to the season, the San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins will both be looking to snap losing streaks when they meet Tuesday in the Marlins' home opener.  —  The Padres (1-4) have lost four in a row and were embarrassed by Colorado at home during a three-game sweep over the weekend.

Cubs' Lee expected to get new deal  —  New contract reportedly to be for five years  —  CHICAGO — Derrek Lee should be able to focus solely on baseball after Tuesday.  —  The Chicago Cubs have called a news conference for Tuesday and were expected to announce at that time that they have signed …

It's Early, but the Mets' Glass Is at Least Half Full  —  A pessimist could attribute the Mets' 4-1 start to a forgiving schedule that included a string of home games against what are presumed to be the lesser teams in the National League East.  An optimist could consider the same evidence …

Under The Knife  —  Danger is Will's Middle Name  —  It's an exciting time to be in baseball.  I had the chance to have lunch with Sig Mejdal last week, just before taping this week's BP Radio.  Not only is Sig a nice guy, but he's done some of the most interesting work in injury analysis …

Three homers not enough for Dodgers  —  Seo struggles in his first start for Los Angeles  —  PITTSBURGH — Eight games into the season, the Dodgers offense is averaging about 6.3 runs — the team scored six in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Pirates — and over the course of an entire season …

Council Members Should Be Thankful For What They Have  —  Sometimes you just wonder about politicians.  —  As the Mets tried to push their stadium plan through the City Council, some members - mainly those around Shea Stadium - want more from the team.  After all, they feel it's only fair since …

Sore forearm sidelines Halladay  —  Blue Jays ace returns to Toronto, will miss one start  —  BOSTON — Toronto's rotation issues got a little more complicated on Tuesday, when the team announced that staff ace Roy Halladay will miss one start due to stiffness in his right forearm.

Eight is not enough for Rangers  —  The first e-mail I opened this week started with the line: "Are the Rangers insane?''  —  Like that one, there were a lot of missives that didn't include any question at all.  Somebody ranted about how the Rangers are hurting his fantasy league team.

Atkins player of week  —  A year ago, Garrett Atkins opened his rookie season on the disabled list, mending a painful hamstring injury.  —  Monday, the Rockies' third baseman was named National League player of the week.  —  Atkins led the National League with 20 total bases and tied for the league lead with 12 hits.

Mailbag: Step back off the ledge already  —  Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers fans' questions … I understand Ozzie wants to get Boone Logan's feet wet, but there is no way he should have been in the game against Travis Hafner [last Wednesday].  I might be mistaken …