It's Official: Lerner Will Own Nationals  —  Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called Bethesda-based billionaire Theodore N. Lerner today to tell him he will be the new owner of the Washington Nationals, team sources said.  —  An announcement by Major League Baseball is expected shortly.

How about a movie on Omar?  —  Off his winter of wheeling, dealing and maybe even stealing in some cases, Mets general manager Omar Minaya was trying hard to make one more big transaction right before last night's game.  —  He was endeavoring to convert Spike Lee into a Mets fan.

Five Games at Fenway in August.  How Hot Is That?  —  BOSTON, May 2 — August at Fenway Park.  Five games in four days.  The Yankees and the Red Sox, probably in a pennant race.  —  "It will be hot," Yankees Manager Joe Torre said.  "And exciting."  —  Tuesday's rainout set up that delicious possibility.

Sweeney headed for DL after exam confirms bulging disk  —  DETROIT — An examination Tuesday in Kansas City confirmed that Royals captain Mike Sweeney has a bulging cervical disk — but a different disk from the one that sidelined him for extended periods in 2003 and 2004.

Jered Weaver Might Get Next Try in Colon's Spot  —  The Angels, confident that Jered Weaver is ready for the major leagues after one month at triple A, are leaning toward starting him Saturday in Toronto and giving him the chance to replace Bartolo Colon in the rotation.

Cubs' new excuse rings hollow  —  He's out there somewhere, the Cubs' savior.  He's wearing sweat pants, dribbling beer down his chin into a pile of potato-chip crumbs on his shirt, flipping between "ElimiDate'' and "Fear Factor.'' Oh, the stories he tells about his days as a high school pitcher.

Dodgers lead early, fall late to D-Backs  —  Early six-run advantage, two Drew homers go for naught  —  PHOENIX — Manager Grady Little scrambled the Dodgers batting order on Tuesday night, and the result was an eight-run windfall.  —  If only fixing the pitching staff was that easy.

Notes: Piedra optioned to Triple-A  —  Outfielder batted just .143 in recent rehab assignment  —  ATLANTA — With his numbers and at-bats indicating he's not ready to return to the Majors, outfielder Jorge Piedra learned on Tuesday that he has been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Hamels turns in another stellar performance  —  MIAMI - According to general manager Pat Gillick, for Cole Hamels to reach the major leagues soon, he must give up a bunch of runs and prove he can rebound from the setback, and he must prove he will stay healthy.  —  The latter will happen over time.

Prospect gets 100-game ban  —  Devil Rays minor leaguer gets stiff penalty in drug case  —  Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league pitcher Matt Rico was suspended for 100 games yesterday after testing positive for a drug of abuse.  —  Rico is in extended spring training, and hadn't played for a team yet this season.