Mariners Notebook: Sexson held out  —  CHICAGO — When Richie Sexson came to the park Thursday, he was in the starting lineup.  —  When the game began, he wasn't.  —  When the game ended, he was in the on-deck circle.  —  When the Mariners were packing to leave Chicago, he was walking gingerly.

At long last  —  As they stated repeatedly during their introductory press conference last night, the Lerner family and Stan Kasten are in this for the long haul.  —  They intend to build the Washington Nationals into a long-term success, on and off the baseball field.

Angels bust out bats to halt skid  —  Rookie additions make immediate impact in win  —  DETROIT — The kids came to the Angels' rescue on Thursday.  —  Led by Mike Napoli and Tommy Murphy, who were both called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday night, the Angels beat Detroit, 7-2, to snap the team's six-game losing streak.

Notes: Coach suspended five games  —  Third-base coach Smith suspended for spitting during spat  —  ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers third-base coach Steve Smith was slapped with a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine Thursday, penalties stemming from his confrontation last Friday …

Bonds gets a day off from starting lineup  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) - Barry Bonds' pursuit of the Babe might have to wait until Philadelphia.  —  Bonds wasn't in the starting lineup for the San Francisco Giants' game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.  —  He still had a bit of a headache …

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  The San Diego Padres seek their fifth straight win.  The Los Angeles Dodgers hope to avoid a fifth straight loss.  —  Two teams headed in different directions meet when the Padres (12-15) and Dodgers (12-16) close out their two-game set on Thursday.

Cards Notebook: Pujols is hobbled  —  Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols fouled a breaking pitch off his left ankle during a first-inning at-bat Thursday.  He ended the plate appearance by grounding to second base.  He limped noticeably running to first before slamming his helmet.

Sox win in 11  —  With 37 come-from-behind victories and 35 one-run victories last season, you might think the White Sox had found every possible way to win a baseball game.  —  Nope.  They discovered a new one in Wednesday night's 6-5, 11-inning victory over Seattle—Pablo Ozuna's first major-league home run after 1,333 at-bats.

Notes: Starter needed for Saturday  —  Fernandez to be recalled Friday; Clark working hard on swing  —  MILWAUKEE — This, and not much more, is known about the Brewers' starting pitcher for Saturday: It will not be Dana Eveland.  —  After Thursday's win over the Giants …

Randolph's hunch pays off  —  NEW YORK — With a hunch like he had last night, Willie Randolph should have gone to Vegas.  —  The Mets' manager had a feeling about outfielder Endy Chavez, and he went with his gut and played him over Xavier Nady in right field.

Random Thursday Stuff  —  Enjoy the random Thursday stuff I have prepared for you all today.  — Last season the Mets had some great commercials.  If you are out of area and never got a chance to see them, here you go.  If you saw them, watch again and revel in the silliness....thanks to Brian for the links.

Notes: Griffey's knee injury still an issue  —  Outfielder's return remains a question mark  —  DENVER — They're saying it's not really any worse.  But it certainly isn't getting any better, either.  —  Still feeling the discomfort of a strained tendon in the back of his right knee …

Papelbon OK after minor scare  —  Boston closer tweaked his back before notching 11th save  —  BOSTON — The Toronto Blue Jays weren't the only ones putting a scare into the Red Sox on Thursday night.  —  With runners on first and second and facing slugger Vernon Wells as the potential tying run …

Interest in Clemens Is Low-Key and Far Away  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 3 — Roger Clemens will decide on his future soon, his agent said Wednesday, and there are no indications Clemens is leaning toward pitching for the Yankees.  —  "Roger is mulling over what he wants to do but does …

Pujols may be best ever by time he's done  —  At this moment, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols leads the National League in a bevy of offensive categories.  —  To wit, Pujols tops the loop in home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage, total bases and extra-base hits.

Wily comfortable with Mo time in CF  —  Some fans might be confused, but that indeed was Wily Mo Pena settling comfortably under a fly ball for the first out of last night's 7-6 Red Sox loss, hit by Toronto's Alex Rios to medium center field.  —  Even for a big guy, Pena looks a lot …

Oliver Perez Available?  —  Here's a new one for ya, courtesy of Baseball Prospectus's Will Carroll yesterday:  —  "One rumor from the last few days is that Oliver Perez and Ryan Doumit are being dangled to the Phillies."  —  Would this deal make a good fit?