Overcoming hype, O's top Matsuzaka, Red Sox … FORT MYERS, FLA. // Melvin Mora stumbled across home plate, stood in the opposite side of the batter's box and collected his thoughts, rather than a hit.  Jay Gibbons took two bad swings and flung his bat and helmet toward the visiting dugout.

Piniella changes Prior 'game plan'  —  Once-promising righty to get start Thursday vs. minor-leaguers  —  MESA, Ariz. — Mark Prior says he's taking baby steps this spring in his attempt to return to his old form.  —  But the next steps Prior takes will be down the street at the Cubs' minor-league camp.

Sanchez makes amends  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Duaner Sanchez returned and resumed working out with the Mets yesterday.  He also kept his word and apologized to his teammates for the repeated lateness that prompted his dismissal from camp Thursday.  —  "I think he owes every one of us an apology …

Pirates Notebook: Grabow, Gorzelanny have rough outings  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Tom Gorzelanny struggled early and John Grabow struggled late yesterday.  —  The result for the Pirates was a 9-8 loss to Cincinnati.  —  Gorzelanny allowed six hits and four runs in the first inning, while Grabow …

Edmonds a question mark for opening day  —  JUPITER, FLA. — The Cardinals outfield entered camp as a difficult lesson in long division: too many candidates for likely no more than five openings.  —  The equation may have become more vague Sunday.  —  After his first round …

Wild pitch hits Jenks in neck  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — White Sox minor-league pitcher Clayton Richard hasn't been sacked since he was a Michigan quarterback in 2005.  —  That almost changed Sunday.  —  An errant Richard throw struck Sox closer Bobby Jenks in the neck as he was warming …

John Kruk Is With Leather  —  When the famous phrase "You're with me, leather" entered the lexicon, I didn't think anyone had John Kruk in mind.  I was wrong; ESPN most certainly did.  If you haven't seen the WWL's new fantasy baseball commercial and you don't want to see Krukie doing …

Benitez has scoreless inning in spring debut  —  (03-12) 04:00 PDT Scottsdale , Ariz. — If the Giants' purpose is to trade Armando Benitez before Opening Day, they need him to keep taking the mound.  It's tough to deal a guy out of the trainer's room.  —  Benitez, dogged by injuries …

Notes: Church trying to relax  —  Brother's recent deployment to Iraq weighing on his mind  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Nationals outfielder Ryan Church had conversations with bench coach Pat Corrales, Jose Cardenal, the team's special advisor to the general manager, and his younger brother, Matthew, on Saturday.

The Best Young Center Fielders of 2007  —  This week, I will continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young center fielders.  The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways.  First, anyone under 25 is eligible.

Three Hoping To Bag a Spot At First for Nats  —  Only a few puffy clouds dotted the otherwise perfectly blue sky Sunday afternoon over Holman Stadium.  The sun beat down on the dugouts, which have no roofs to hide the players.  There, Washington Nationals first baseman Larry Broadway sat, watched and wondered.