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.

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.

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.

Jennings trade looks even worse.  Bruntlett gets his shot.  —  If you didn't like the Jason Jennings trade last winter, you're going to like it even less today.  He's winless.  He's hurt again.  He wouldn't be enough to rescue this train wreck of a baseball team, and unless he gets well …

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 …