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.

Notes: Day's days over in Denver  —  Right-hander claimed off waivers by Nationals  —  PHILADELPHIA — There was speculation that Zach Day might file a grievance against the Rockies.  —  There's no need to speculate any further.  —  The right-handed pitcher was claimed off waivers …

BELTRAN IS ITCHY ON BENCH  —  April 26, 2006 — SAN FRANCISCO - Carlos Beltran (inflamed right hamstring) said yesterday that not being able to play is "frustrating."  —  "Its frustrating for me right now because the MRI shows that it's nothing major.  But I still feel it," the center fielder said.

Bowden Variations  —  "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, you could have had a starting pitching rotation that is a combined 2-9."

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.

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 …

Russ Ortiz: Wants No Part of Minors  —  Update: The Diamondbacks would like to put Ortiz (calf cramp, or suboptimal performance, take your pick) on the DL and send him on a long minor-league rehab stint, but it appears Ortiz won't agree to that, the Arizona Republic reports.

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.

Bonds hits homer No. 711 in big spot  —  Slugger belts pinch-hit dinger to tie game in ninth vs. Mets  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was one of the seminal moments of the young season on Wednesday at AT&T Park.  Power against power in the ninth inning.  Billy Wagner closing for the New York Mets.

Highly-touted prospect throws bat at umpire  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Durham Bulls outfielder Delmon Young threw a bat into the chest of the home plate umpire after being called out on strikes in the first inning of Wednesday night's game at Pawtucket.  —  Young took a third strike on a 1-and-2 pitch.

Chipper shines in return, but Braves fall  —  Jones homers in first game off DL in loss to Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — Chipper Jones returned to the Braves' lineup with a bang.  But his contribution wasn't enough to overcome the two-out, sixth-inning damage that marred what was shaping to be a strong effort from Tim Hudson.

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 …

Notes: Randolph tweaks rotation  —  Skipper to start Trachsel instead of Zambrano in Atlanta  —  SAN FRANCISCO — With Steve Trachsel pitching effectively and Victor Zambrano pitching unreliably, Mets manager Willie Randolph decided Wednesday to revise the starting pitching rotation for the weekend series in Atlanta.

Cards welcome Nats to town  —  Washington (7-14) at St. Louis (14-7), 7:10 p.m. CT  —  The sliding Nationals visit the soaring Cardinals for a four-game series this weekend, starting Thursday night.  It's Washington's first visit to new Busch Stadium.  —  Actually, the night will feature quite a few firsts.