Washington pitchers belted by Florida  —  Hernandez gives up seven in five innings, Eischen four more  —  WASHINGTON — Principal owner Mark Lerner and team president Stan Kasten made their first appearance at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium since Major League Baseball announced that the Lerner group would take control of the Nationals.

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.

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 …