Nationals Prevail in a Washington Marathon  —  The course of events took more than five-and-a-half hours.  It all began with rain, continued with an offensive explosion, deteriorated into a colossal collapse and then dragged on as last night turned into this morning, as certain victory turned into near-defeat.

Time for baseball to back off and let the pros go to work  —  There are few things in life worse than a scorned mistress who talks too much.  —  Barry Bonds knows that better than most.  A woman named Kimberly Bell is a big part of the reason he may soon find himself in some serious trouble with the law.

Womack takes over as leadoff man  —  CINCINNATI — Cubs manager Dusty Baker made a switch at the top of his lineup Friday, putting Tony Womack in the leadoff spot and dropping Juan Pierre to the second slot.  —  "I put Tony at the top because Juan was having trouble getting on base," Baker said.

President  —  Game 58: June 9, 2006  —  Scene: The All Farm Party convention where Trot Nixon officially confirms that he will run for president of Red Sox Nation and announces his running mate.  Signs like "A Nixon You Can Trust," "Hometown Hero," and "Hats Off to Trot," …

Struggling Alfonseca on way out  —  Quick start at Frisco, Oklahoma gives Corey chance to prove himself  —  BOSTON - Antonio Alfonseca's tenure with the Rangers appears to be over.  —  Texas designated the 34-year-old for assignment Friday.  Former Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Bryan Corey …

Rockies get Mets' Matsui, sign pick  —  The big picture and immediate future might have brightened for the Colorado Rockies on Friday.  —  The Rockies traded Eli Marrero to the New York Mets in exchange for Japanese infielder Kaz Matsui and cash.  The club also secured one of its top draft picks …

Former Yankee Leyritz admits he tried HGH  —  NY Post  —  The clock was ticking against Jim Leyritz, and he knew it.  He had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder after the 2000 season and he did not have the normal recovery time — about a year — left on his baseball calendar.

Grimsley no longer getting paid  —  Jason Grimsley will not receive the remainder of his $825,000 salary from the Diamondbacks this season, and if the players union wants to file a grievance, so be it, said Ken Kendrick, the club's managing general partner.  —  "It's the moral thing to do," Kendrick said Friday.

Brewers fall as Cardinals come back  —  De La Rosa placed on DL with blisters on his pitching hand  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers invited their No. 1 draft pick to take in a game at Miller Park on Friday night.  They gave right-hander Jeremy Jeffress a uniform and seats next to the dugout …

An ace?  Lefty is now just a wild card  —  On nights like this, it sometimes seems as if Joe Torre is the last person in New York who looks at Randy Johnson and still sees The Big Unit.  —  How else do you explain Torre leaving Johnson in the game as he was imploding in the fourth inning against the A's?

Notes: Thames takes on Majors  —  Leyland's brother gave outfielder rave reviews  —  TORONTO — If Marcus Thames keeps going like this, Jim Leyland's brother might have to be nominated for Tigers Scout of the Year.  —  Thames' future as a Major League hitter was up for debate going into the season.