Nationals 8, Marlins 7; Girardi upset by loss  —  WASHINGTON — Marlins manager Joe Girardi has appeared this exasperated before, but it has been a while.  —  Losing was difficult for him when the Marlins opened the season 11-31, but it is more agonizing since they have shown how good they can play.

Another grand display  —  The Ortiz show powers Red Sox  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On Tuesday night, Julio Lugo, the Tampa Bay shortstop, was lined up in the second baseman's plot of land, playing the Joe Maddon Shift, when David Ortiz lost a baseball in the seats.

Gagne May Face Back Surgery  —  Eric Gagne could be facing back surgery that would end his season and, with free agency pending, possibly his career-long affiliation with the Dodgers.  —  An MRI showed as many as two herniated disks in the relief pitcher's lower back, which could be corrected by surgery.

Damon is likely out 'til after break  —  CLEVELAND — The Yankees are anticipating they will be without Johnny Damon until after the All-Star break because of his strained right abdominal muscle.  "He may be out for the weekend, whether we're conservative or not," manager Joe Torre said.

Right hip pain forces Mets to place Pedro on DL  —  NEW YORK — All-Star ace Pedro Martinez was placed on the disabled list by the New York Mets on Thursday because of pain in his right hip.  —  Martinez missed his scheduled start on Monday and can now rest through the All-Star break.

Nomar, A.J. named Final Vote winners  —  Dodgers first baseman, White Sox catcher join All-Star squads  —  Nomar Garciaparra and A.J. Pierzynski were American League All-Star teammates in 2002, the year that the Final Vote was introduced by MLB.com.  They did not have to rely on it to be selected …

Inner workings revealed  —  The breach in trust between Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino that led to Epstein's departure from the Red Sox, and how principal owner John W. Henry was able to persuade Epstein to return as general manager less than three months later, is explored in a new book by Seth Mnookin …

Free to play ball  —  JUPITER — His name is Amaury Cazana Marti.  At least, the St. Louis Cardinals are pretty sure.  —  His age?  Depends whom you ask.  Marti, who came to this country from Cuba a little more than a year ago, insists he's 27.  Without a birth certificate or proof otherwise …

Notes: Intriguing prospect  —  Melvin reportedly trying to acquire Greg Maddux  —  rbraun@journalsentinel.com  —  Having entered play Thursday just 3½ games out of first in the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are in a position to be a buyer rather than a seller …

From the grass at home to Yankee Stadium  —  Yankees star Johnny Damon is finally opening up about his pot-smoking past.  —  "It's part of life, it's natural, it's from the earth," proclaims the slugger, sounding like he's ready to give praise to Rastafari.

Kasten Hopes Others Feel Like Soriano  —  Stan Kasten, incoming president of the Washington Nationals, said yesterday he was heartened by the desire of left fielder Alfonso Soriano to remain with the team beyond this season, after which he will become a free agent.

Minor leaguer Steve Martin dies in crash  —  CHILLICOTHE, Ohio —A minor league baseball player was killed in a car accident just hours after being released by the Chillicothe Paints of the independent Frontier League.  —  Steve Martin's car crossed the center line and veered off a county road …

Cards still in market for hitter  —  HOUSTON  —  As recently as Monday afternoon, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty maintained that finding another hitter remained a higher priority than acquiring help for a tattered starting rotation.  But when a deal for Los Angeles Angels righthander …

Redman gets last laugh with an All-Star outing  —  Winning his sixth straight decision, KC starter dominates on his way to the Midsummer Classic.  —  Royals veteran Mark Redman heard it all for the last five days — and swallowed it all quietly — about not deserving his selection to the American League All-Star team.

Marlins generating buzz  —  Lots of baseball and World Cup chatter:  —  • The Marlins generated some discussion on Fox's midseason conference call Thursday.  —  '' Joe Girardi is the Manager of the Year as far as I'm concerned in the National League,'' Tim McCarver said.  ``They've done a terrific job.