New Nationals Owner  —  9 News has learned Major League Baseball has selected the new owners of the Washington Nationals.  9 Sports Director Brett Haber has confirmed that the Lerner Group will be named in a news conference that could come as soon as Friday.

D-Backs pounce on Peavy  —  Vargas dominant as Arizona takes second straight from Padres  —  SAN DIEGO — Claudio Vargas doesn't have an explanation for it.  —  Neither does Bob Melvin.  —  And truth be told they really don't care why Vargas seems to pitch so much better on the road …

Marlins elude sweep with late mojo  —  Helms, Willingham get big hits; Nolasco notches first win  —  CHICAGO — In need of some relief, the Marlins got a big boost by the bullpen, especially rookie Ricky Nolasco and veteran Matt Herges.  —  And a struggling offense got some punch and good fortune from pinch-hitter Wes Helms.

Cordero gets win, Blalock gets save for Rangers  —  ARLINGTON - The Rangers won in the bottom of the ninth again Tuesday.  —  This can't go on forever.  —  As much fun as it's been for the Rangers to dogpile on a chosen hero - Tuesday, Hank Blalock got the honor when his single gave …

Mets blast back at Barry  —  Nady, Floyd answer Bonds' 710th  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds took a step toward history.  Steve Trachsel took command after that, as the Mets beat the Giants, 4-1, last night.  —  Xavier Nady's homer to left to lead off the seventh - over the glove …

Notes: Nationals bring back Day  —  WASHINGTON — In need of pitching, the Nationals kept themselves busy on Wednesday afternoon.  They claimed right-hander Zach Day off waivers from the Rockies, and to make room on the 40-man roster, they designated catcher Wiki Gonzalez for assignment.

It Just Works Out For Sox  —  Ramirez's Three-Run HR Bails Out Tito, Schilling  —  CLEVELAND — His opinions may be strong at times, but Curt Schilling swears he has never tried to strong-arm manager Terry Francona.  —  Not in Philadelphia.  —  Not in Boston.  —  "It's always been you [reporters]," Schilling said.

Greer hopes to coach  —  Former Ranger takes office job with an eye toward a coaching role  —  ARLINGTON - Former Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer wants to manage.  —  Although Tuesday's announcement that Greer has signed a personal services contract with the Rangers has him in the front office …

Mets wrap up series with Giants  —  New York Mets (13-7) at San Francisco (11-9), 3:35 p.m. ET  —  The Met won their first four series, a franchise precedent.  But since then, since their record was 9-3, they have lost a series to Braves and split one with the Padres.

Under The Knife  —  Velocity Boy  —  There's something going on with some pitchers this spring.  A number of pitchers, all Latin and normally all very good, have had poor velocity.  Some played in the WBC, some didn't.  The group has no commonalities that I can find but from Carlos Zambrano …

Jim Bowden: Different ways to make your pitch  —  WASHINGTON - I've had plenty of e-mails from fans suggesting if we had an owner we could have kept Esteban Loaiza and signed A.J. Burnett, Kevin Millwood and/or Jarrod Washburn.  So, for a mere $35 million for this year alone …

Stepping Up  —  Stepping Up  —  Lost in all the hoopla surrounding Greg Maddux's seemingly miraculous mid-life, late-career resurgence — though, really, shouldn't we have known he had a few more tricks in that rubbery right arm of his? — is the absolute dead-on perfect timing of it all.

For Nipper, it would be classic reunion  —  CLEVELAND — Roger Clemens's decision should come soon, Al Nipper said yesterday, probably within a couple of weeks, if not days, of the 20th anniversary of his 20-strikeout game against the Seattle Mariners in Fenway Park, which is Saturday.  —  Retirement?

Notes: Doumit ready for rehab trip  —  Bucs catcher working his way back from hamstring injury  —  ST. LOUIS — Catcher Ryan Doumit will begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.  If all goes well, he'll be activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday.

Nationals pick up Zach Day  —  Philadelphia - A potential grievance was avoided today when the Washington Nationals claimed pitcher Zach Day off waivers, ending the right-hander's brief tenure with the Rockies.  —  "It looks like it ended well for Zach,'' agent Brian Goldberg said …

Rodriguez looks to win finale and series  —  Los Angeles (10-11) at Houston (14-6), 7:05 p.m. CT  —  The Houston Astros will have a quick turnaround for their homestand finale Wednesday after a four-hour, 48-minute, 14-inning game the night before that ended in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.