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 …

Beckett blisters media over injury report  —  BALTIMORE - Josh Beckett growled yesterday at the first reporter inquiring about a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.  —  "I don't have (an expletive) blister," Beckett said.  "Look at my (expletive) finger."

Wakefield faces O's, aiming for sweep  —  Boston (23-14) at Baltimore (18-22), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox can't be thrilled that Wednesday is getaway day at Camden Yards.  The Red Sox are 8-0 against the Orioles this season and hold a 13-game winning streak vs. Baltimore, dating back to Sept. 3, 2005.

New York pours it on  —  The Cardinals endured a 101-minute rain delay during Tuesday night's seventh inning.  Waiting on the other side was the New York Mets' four-run eighth inning, a head-banging tumble by first baseman Albert Pujols on a slick on-deck circle and, finally, an 8-3 loss before a leftover Busch Stadium crowd.

D-Backs bullpen to test - again  —  Orlando Hernandez grimaced and shook his head in the third inning on Tuesday night, and a moment later, he motioned to his catcher: Something wasn't right.  —  He had just thrown four consecutive pitches wide of the strike zone to San Diego's Geoff Blum …

Plug not pulled on Lima time  —  ST. LOUIS - Jose Lima officially got a reprieve yesterday, when Willie Randolph confirmed the journeyman pitcher would start tomorrow against the Cardinals, followed by Jeremi Gonzalez on Friday against the Yankees.  —  Brian Bannister, who threw …

Twins send struggling righty Lohse to Triple-A  —  DETROIT — The Twins sent right-hander Kyle Lohse to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, the latest move made by Minnesota to shake up a struggling rotation.  —  Lohse, whose salary this season is $3.95 million after beating the team …

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.

Bonds' chase gets a jolt from Springer … HOUSTON — Some day, once Barry Bonds' 714th and 715th homers are out of the way (assuming they ever are), no one will remember Russ Springer's role in this saga.  —  But on a crazy, history-free Tuesday evening in Houston, Springer vs. Bonds was your official DVR moment of the night.

Nolasco set for first start  —  Ricky Nolasco's family rooted for John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves when the Marlins pitcher was growing up in California.  But loyalty only goes so far.  —  When Nolasco makes his first big-league start tonight, he'll take on Smoltz.  And the Nolascos won't be pulling for the Braves.

Mets could clear way for Glavine's exit  —  Never mind that $12 million club option for 2007 that the Mets included in left-hander Tom Glavine's restructured contract: There is little chance the team will exercise it.  —  The Mets have agreed informally to decline the option if Glavine wants …

Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic  —  Q: Well, Jim Tracy's defense of Jeromy Burnitz for not hustling in the second Diamondbacks game was certainly interesting.  Is Tracy's rule going to be that loafing is OK as long as nobody can prove definitively that it cost the Pirates the game?

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?

Longoria tops list of corner infielders  —  Long Beach State third baseman projects as top-five pick  —  You know the old saying "Pitching, pitching, pitching and defense?"  Well, the 2006 First-Year Player draft picture is more like "Pitching, pitching, pitching and ... pitching."

Guillen Still Hot, Despite A Cold Start  —  CHICAGO, May 16 — Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden said the slow start of right fielder Jose Guillen has not deterred teams from calling and asking whether Guillen would be available in a trade.  —  "Certainly, we expect Jose …

New start for Hansen  —  BALTIMORE - Craig Hansen's four-inning stint for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday night may be the start of an interesting twist in the development of the 22-year-old right-hander.  —  Believed by most to be a closer in waiting, Hansen started Game 2 of a doubleheader …

Visiting Mets still have the aroma of Pond Scum  —  HIT & RUN DAN O'NEILL  —  The New York Mets are in town, but it's not like the old days.  Back in the 1980s, when the Cardinals and Mets were in the same division, it was easy to build a healthy hatred for the "Pond Scum."

NIGHT JULY 2nd AT BCB  —  ALTOONA- Inspired by a Los Angeles Angels fan who filed a lawsuit against the club because he did not receive a red nylon tote bag as part of the major league club's Mother's Day promotion last May, the Altoona Curve have announced that they will be holding Salute …