Wilkerson's still swinging  —  Since his introductory press conference, Brad Wilkerson and I have shared a special bond.  You might call it good, old-fashioned hate.  —  OK, hate might be a little strong, but he is, after all, a Florida Gator and I'm Johnny Georgia Bulldog.  It creates a little tension.

Boos, booze make for an ugly combo in Busch bleachers  —  The new spin coming from the mouths of some of the grumbling louts who have turned certain parts of Busch Stadium's bleachers into an X-rated sewer is that they are all a part of some slowly emerging class struggle.

Hurler, wife pitched a few ideas  —  Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and his wife didn't have nearly as much trouble choosing a wedding song last winter as he's had in finding the right music for his march to the mound this season.  —  "Me and my wife actually went through some songs …

Curt Schilling, RHP (3-0, 1.64)  —  Scouting Report:  —  Waechter followed up an unremarkable first start of the season at Toronto — when he allowed three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings — with a strong performance against the Orioles Thursday, allowing just one run in six innings.

We Got The Hits—Hits.  —  The Mets came out with a new theme song today, which like its title ("Our Team.  Our Time.") and the advertising slogan it accompanies ("The Team.  The Time.  The Mets."), celebrates terminal punctuation.  Our question: Can 45,000 fans rap all at the same time?

Notes: Hernandez placed on DL  —  Sore back sidelines starting second baseman; Matsui recalled  —  NEW YORK — The pained look on Anderson Hernandez's face said it all.  —  "Not good," Hernandez said, wincing.  "Bad."  —  Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday …

Garciaparra to make Dodgers debut Saturday after rehab stint in minors  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nomar Garciaparra's long-awaited debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers may come as soon as Saturday.  —  The team sent the converted first baseman on a two-day minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

Baker pitches deal for ace  —  Says it may be time to extend Maddux  —  LOS ANGELES — Greg Maddux's future was on the mind of Dusty Baker before Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium, and the question of how long the 40-year-old right-hander can continue to pitch was put to the Cubs manager.

Boos say Victor's 10 minutes are up  —  Funny how one vintage Victor Zambrano start can seemingly derail the Mets' bandwagon faster than a blown tire.  —  Put it this way: judging by the vibe at Shea last night, you surely couldn't tell the Mets were off to the best start in their history.

Padres-Rockies Preview  —  Matt Holliday broke out of his slump and the Colorado Rockies stopped a two-game slide with one swing of the bat.  —  The third-year major leaguer will look to continue his game-winning form as the Rockies (8-6) meet the San Diego Padres in the series-deciding third game on Wednesday.

Nationals close to finding new owner  —  Decision could be made as early as next week  —  A decision to choose the new owners of the Washington Nationals is coming down to its final days, with an announcement possible sometime next week, a source familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday.

Johnson Doesn't Know What Hit Him  —  TORONTO, April 18 — Your team is down by four runs with one out in the top of the first inning.  When you finally come to bat, a future Hall of Famer will be facing you.  What are you thinking in the home dugout?  —  "You figure it's over," …

Marcus Giles: MRI Scheduled for Thursday  —  Update: Giles has possible ligament damage in the middle finger on his left hand and will have an MRI on Thursday, the team's official web site reports.  "Hopefully it's only a few days, but who knows," manager Bobby Cox said.

Russ Ortiz: Cramps Up on Tuesday  —  Update: Ortiz had to leave his start for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday due to calf cramps, the Arizona Republic reports.  He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.  Ortiz' next scheduled start would be on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Milestone for Gonzalez in win  —  Slugger becomes 21st player with 500 doubles and 300 homers  —  PHOENIX — Luis Gonzalez appeared in the postgame interview room wearing a Diamondbacks undershirt.  —  The uniform of the once skinny kid from Tampa, Fla., whose Major League dreams …

Notes: Sledge optioned to Triple-A  —  Center fielder steps down to get batting practice  —  DENVER — Terrmel Sledge stuffed his equipment bag on Tuesday afternoon at Coors Field and prepared for a trip back in time — a temporary one, he hopes — to the Minor Leagues.

Right shoulder inflammation lands Colon on DL  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Bartolo Colon, the AL's reigning Cy Young Award winner, on the disabled list Wednesday with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.  —  The move was made right before the game in Minnesota …

25. B.J. Upton, SS, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (21)  —  The Devil Rays are employing people such as Ty Wigginton, Nick Green and Damon Hollins in their everyday lineup, so it's fair to speculate about why they're leaving B.J. Upton in Durham.  On the one hand, Upton's defense at shortstop …

Order of selection announced for the 2006 First-Year Player Draft  —  The Kansas City Royals will have the first selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, to be held via conference call on June 6-7 in New York City, Major League Baseball announced today.

Rangers put DeRosa on DL, call up former first-rounder Meyer  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed second baseman Mark DeRosa on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday and purchased the contract of former first-round pick Drew Meyer from Triple-A Oklahoma.