Nats hold off late charge to win Battle  —  Zimmerman comes through with go-ahead run to seal sweep  —  BALTIMORE — The Nationals and Orioles found themselves in a pitchers' duel on Thursday night, but when it was over it was Washington that won the battle as it edged Baltimore, 3-1, in front of 20,770 fans at Camden Yards.

Perez outpitches Clemens, Mets top Yanks  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Just the sight of the New York Yankees energized the Mets.  —  Oliver Perez outdueled Roger Clemens, Jose Reyes was 3-for-3 with three steals, two RBIs and a home run, and Carlos Gomez leapt to prevent a three-run homer.

Salty's at 1B; Stark fires back at Boras  —  The move that so many of you blog denizens have been pining for - can't say I blame you - is happening.  At least tonight it's happening, and I'd guess it'll happen some more.  —  Salty is starting at first base.

Prospectus Today  —  Dunn Deals  —  In what is shaping up as a light midseason trade market, the big prize is Reds left fielder Adam Dunn.  Dunn has been a lightning rod for criticism in Cincinnati, where his take'n'rake approach and Three True Outcomes output seen as a drag on the team's offense rather than a boost to it.

Barry on Barry  —  Forgot to mention perhaps the most bizarre part of the interview with Barry Bonds.  As he walked into the dugout gauntlet, Bonds turned on a little handheld, digital recorder, much like the ones held by virtually all of the print media members.

Analysis: Fantasy Stats Case Appeal Heard  —  The following is analysis from Maury Brown, a sports business analyst for the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com ) Yesterday, oral arguments in the appeal of CBC Marketing and Distribution v. MLB Advanced Media took place …

Cubs overcome fans, defeat Padres 4-1  —  CHICAGO (AP) — A couple of Wrigley Field's passionate fans made it stressful for the home team Friday, reaching over the ivy-covered walls for balls that were in play.  —  The Chicago Cubs avoided a Bartman-like flashback and got sixth-inning homers …

Salty gets a start at first base  —  Minneapolis — A sizeable segment of Braves Nation got what it's been clamoring for: Jarrod Saltalamacchia at first base.  —  The Braves' top prospect, a switch-hitting catcher, was in the lineup at first base Thursday night against Minnesota and ace left-hander Johan Santana.

Tigers suspend Colon  —  Fight gives other Hen broken bones  —  The Tigers have suspended right-hander Roman Colon for seven days after a physical altercation with teammates in the Triple-A Toledo clubhouse.  —  The club announced that Colon has a contusion on his left shoulder, but teammate Jason Karnuth was injured more severely.

Pirates Notebook: Van Benschoten's big day at hand  —  One year away, two shoulder surgeries and countless doubts later, John Van Benschoten is on the verge of making it all the way back.  —  His phone rang shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday in Durham, N.C., with the news that the Pirates …

Theo's Biggest Mistake  —  Letting Orlando Cabrera go was Theo Epstein's biggest mistake of his short career as a general manager, and we're feeling the effects of this to this day.  —  Let's backtrack a little bit.  On July 31st, 2004, the Red Sox traded away their icon, Nomar Garciaparra.

Zambrano changing colors?  —  Pitcher jests about red shinguards from 'my next catcher'  —  Mark Buehrle still gets heat for wearing a St. Louis Cardinals cap at a World Series game last October, but Carlos Zambrano one-upped Buehrle before Thursday's Cubs game.

Just a nip and tuck, or major surgery for White Sox?  —  With team still sinking, big decisions await GM at trade deadline  —  PITTSBURGH — A run for redemption has turned into a series of survival for the White Sox.  —  They open a three-game series Friday night at perennial National …