Martin Has Earned Some Security  —  DENVER — Grady Little likes to give a cryptic answer when asked about upcoming roster moves.  —  "We'll do what gives us the best chance to win," the manager has said.  —  But when it comes to rookie catcher Russell Martin, the meaning is clear …

RANGERS NOTES  —  Hicks still on Clemens' trail  —  NEW YORK - Rangers owner Tom Hicks is in New York for the quarterly Major League Baseball owners' meetings, which take place today and Thursday, and include an official vote on the sale of the Washington Nationals.

Proper grip eludes pitcher  —  BALTIMORE — Because the Red Sox won, Curt Schilling said, he was assured of getting some sleep last night.  ''An hour or two, anyway," he said.  —  But the stuff that keeps Schilling up at night — and Sox fans wondering what happened to the guy who was so dominant …

Kazmir, Rays topple White Sox  —  Starter strikes out eight over seven in fourth straight win  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Scott Kazmir just keeps getting better.  —  On Tuesday night, the Devil Rays' ace put together another solid effort to lead a 10-7 win over the White Sox in front of 11,566 at Tropicana Field.

A's smack Felix around  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Mariners came into the season fairly confident that Felix Hernandez wasn't in over his head, pitching in the big leagues at 20.  —  It would be no surprise if that confidence had been shaken some in the first six weeks of the 2006 season.

Notes: Lieberthal on the mend  —  Catcher could miss two more weeks  —  MILWAUKEE — The concerned look on Mike Lieberthal's face said it all on Sunday, as he anticipated his MRI scheduled for the following day.  —  Those concerns were valid.  —  The MRI confirmed what team doctor Michael …

Hermida homers, poised for return  —  Jeremy Hermida appears ready to return to the Marlins this weekend after playing pain-free in his second consecutive extended spring game.  —  "It's been a long time waiting,'' Hermida said Tuesday in Jupiter after he went 1-for-2 with a home run. "

Nationals GM doesn't regret wooing Sosa  —  The Washington Nationals' trip to Wrigley Field this week could have been a lot livelier with the presence of a certain power-hitting right-fielder with a taste for salsa music.  —  But former Cub Sammy Sosa declined to sign with the Nationals this winter …

Cards Notebook: Reyes might get call  —  The Cardinals' top prospect, righthanded pitcher Anthony Reyes, is expected to skip his next scheduled start for Class AAA Memphis so he can be ready to start Saturday for the Cardinals in Kansas City.  —  With Sidney Ponson on the disabled list …

Padres-Diamondbacks Preview  —  Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin believes the NL West race will be competitive this season.  His team's early play against the defending champion San Diego Padres is certainly one reason.  —  The Diamondbacks look to defeat the Padres for the eighth straight …

KC: Where the wild things are  —  CLEVELAND — A wild thing can make your heart sink.  Just ask the Royals who, among their many other deficiencies, are on pace to set a modern record this season for wild pitches.  —  "They have come at bad times, too," pitching coach Bob McClure said.  "Why so many?

Willis takes another loss; Ramirez hurt  —  ATLANTA — After winning 22 games last season, Dontrelle Willis might wonder now whether he'll get even two wins this season.  —  And the Marlins might wonder if they'll ever hold a lead again.  —  Two outs away from nailing down that elusive second win …