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.

Nuts-and-Bolts Ballplayer for a Space-Age Infield  —  PHOENIX, June 9 — In the city where Jason Grimsley lives, on the campus where Barry Bonds went to college, a new bionic ballplayer is fielding grounders.  —  The player is best described as a machine — cameras for eyes, tires for legs …

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.

Marlins-Padres Preview  —  Scott Olsen looks to win his third straight start when the Florida Marlins face the San Diego Padres in the middle game of their three-game series on Saturday at Petco Park.  —  Olsen (4-3, 5.60 ERA) had never previously won consecutive decisions over his two-season career …

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," …

Notes: DL delayed for Gagne  —  Closer likely will go on disabled list, but not until Tuesday  —  DENVER — By pitching into the ninth inning Friday night, Brad Penny bought the Dodgers a little time before they place Eric Gagne on the disabled list.  —  But manager Grady Little acknowledged …

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 …

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.

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.

We Didn't Deserve Each Other  —  Kaz Matsui shouldn't have been a New York Met.  It was wrong for him, it was wrong for us.  —  This was not Reggie Jackson and George Steinbrenner, one of whom was a liar and the other was convicted, thus they deserved each other — as an overwrought …

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 …

Ernie Banks eyes bid for Chicago Cubs  —  Mr. Cub, investors show interest in team; but are they for sale?  —  (Crain's) — Ernie Banks wants to buy the Chicago Cubs and said so during a half-hour meeting last month with Dennis FitzSimons, the embattled CEO of team owner Tribune Co.

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?