Nats Take On Division Rival Braves, Weather Permitting  —  This entry was written by DCist contributor Benjamin Kabak.  —  After taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies this week, the Nationals return to the confines of RFK Stadium to face the division-rival Atlanta Braves in a three-game series this weekend.

Padres aim to get even with Mets  —  New York Mets (11-4) vs. San Diego (6-9), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  At times like this, in the wake of a distressing defeat, a cool-handed veteran is the ideal antidote.  The Padres, accordingly, turn to Woody Williams, their most experienced moundsman …

Showalter says Cordero still Rangers' closer  —  SEATTLE - In the wake of his second blown save in eight days, Rangers closer Francisco Cordero and pitching coach Mark Connor insisted the pitcher isn't abandoning his fastball for the slider.  —  That's right, manager Buck Showalter agreed.

Cubs 1B Lee out with broken right wrist  —  Cubs 1B Lee out with broken right wrist  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee broke two bones in his right wrist in a collision with the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal and is expected to be in a cast up to six weeks.

Royals could get worse if trades happen  —  As bad as the Royals are, they could get worse.  —  One American League executive says that he would prefer to play the Royals in the second half, reasoning that the team likely will trade first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek …

Will ounce of prevention be the best medicine?  —  It was a 6-4 homestand.  Good?  Disappointing?  Too close to call?  —  With a fraction under 10 percent of the season in the books, there is one safe thing we can say about the 2006 edition of the Boston Red Sox: They have come exactly as advertised.

Yankees top $1B in Forbes valuation  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees became the first baseball team valued at more than $1 billion in the annual estimates made by Forbes magazine.  —  The Yankees' value increased 8 percent to $1.026 billion, the magazine estimated in its May 8 issue, which was released Thursday.

Nationals GM Bowden regrets 'embarrassment'  —  WASHINGTON — In his first public comments since being charged with drunken driving, Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Friday he regretted "the embarrassment" and strongly denied scuffling with his girlfriend shortly before their arrests.

Cubs' Prior faces hitters for first time  —  Wood's latest throwing session cut short  —  ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs have good news on Mark Prior and some cautionary news about Kerry Wood.  —  Prior, who has been sidelined with a strained muscle in his right shoulder …

To many, organs give life to baseball  —  Several parks proud to embrace game's rich musical tradition  —  CHICAGO — White Sox organist Nancy Faust could be described as one part entertainer, one part musician and one part mad scientist.  How else could the following scenario be explained?

Oldie is still a goodie  —  Franco's pinch HR sparks six-run rally as trip begins with a win  —  SAN DIEGO — The Mets approached last night's game against the Padres with an all-hands-on-deck mentality.  They emptied the trainer's room and even the forgotten Kaz Matsui …

Prospectus Today  —  On Edmonds  —  Jim Edmonds, Hall of Famer.  —  What's your first reaction to that?  A quiet nod?  A horrified recoil?  Something in between?  —  I've been playing with this idea for a while, mentioning Edmonds as my personal choice for a "stealth" Hall of Fame candidate whenever asked for one.

Rockies designate Day for assignment  —  Rockies designate Day for assignment  —  DENVER (AP) — Zach Day's struggles have opened the door for Miguel Asencio to return to a major league mound for the first time in nearly three years.  —  The Colorado Rockies designated Day for assignment Friday …

2006 Power Rankings: Champs back on top  —  Maybe it's not quite as prestigious as winning a World Series trophy, but the Chicago White Sox are once again looking down upon the MLB kingdom as the No. 1 team in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings.  —  The defending champions …

Bonds sits again; Giants insist that he's just resting  —  PHOENIX - Barry Bonds was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Thursday because of general soreness, although Giants Manager Felipe Alou emphasized that the left fielder's specific physical problems had not worsened.

Bad As It Looked  —  The word came down last night, and by now you've likely already heard the news that The Savior has been laid low with a fracture of the distal radial and the distal ulna bones, which will put him in a cast for approximately six weeks, and could keep him out for as long as three months.

Burnett leaves game with sore elbow; to visit Dr. James Andrews  —  TORONTO (AP) — Toronto right-hander A.J. Burnett left the Blue Jays' game Friday night against Boston after four innings because of a sore elbow.  —  Burnett, who signed a five-year, $55 million deal with the Blue Jays …

Go 2 Guy: Where have all the M's fans gone?  —  For the third consecutive game, there were more empty seats than fans at Safeco Field Thursday night.  —  Tuesday's game set a record low for attendance at Safeco Field until Wednesday's game went even lower, down to 17,613 fans.