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.

Cordero struggles as Rangers fall  —  Mench homers for club-record sixth straight game  —  ARLINGTON — This time Francisco Cordero could offer little defense when asked if he should remain the Rangers' closer.  —  "It's not my decision," Cordero said, once again finding himself surrounded …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Future Shock  —  Phone Phun  —  Here in Chicago, we had easily the nicest day of the year weather-wise on Monday, a day with plenty of sun and temperatures in the 70s.  On Tuesday morning, I woke up to a quarter-inch of ice on my porch, with temperatures in the 30s, heavy winds …

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 …

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.

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 …

Wright has been aching to stay in the lineup  —  SAN FRANCISCO - David Wright still has the bruise from Jon Adkins' fastball that tattooed him beneath the left armpit.  His aching groin doesn't feel so great, either, and anyone who watched Wright crumple to the dirt Saturday after trying …

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: Adams sent down to Nashville  —  Right-handed reliever optioned to Triple-A for regular work  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers will have a new player in uniform for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field in Chicago, but for now they're not saying who it will be.