Notes: Nats play first intrasquad game  —  Chico trying to fix mechanics; Hanrahan overcomes nerves  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals held their first intrasquad game on Tuesday and it ended in a 4-4 tie in nine innings at Space Coast Stadium.  —  Left-hander Matt Chico …

Road trip halts Blake St. Bash  —  Tucson - The Blake Street Bash has been put on hold.  —  The Rockies had hoped to honor their famed sluggers with a Coors Field reunion in conjunction with Andres Galarraga's induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame on April 10.

As A Rule, Red Sox Are Skeptical  —  Lowell And Schilling In A Rush To Blame TV  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — It is the essence of baseball.  The pitcher stares in at the batter, twirling the ball behind his back.  The hitter returns the glare, his bat rocking back and forth as the anticipation of the next pitch builds.

Are Cards in Rocket's orbit?  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Described more as fanciful thinking than a realistic hope, the Cardinals recently told agents representing seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens that they are interested should the 44-year-old expand his list of potential 2007 landing spots beyond Houston, New York and Boston.

Spring Training: Chacon, Armas try to take the fifth  —  Veterans vying for lone spot in Pirates' rotation  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — By the numbers, it should be easy to predict the Pirates' choice for a fifth starter: Management will make a priority …

Making name for himself  —  Smith's uncommon sidearm delivery has turned heads in camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The only thing ordinary about Joe Smith is his name.  Flip through the phone book here, and there are more than a dozen.  But on the Mets, Smith is easily singled out from the rest …

Assessing baseball's top position battles  —  With Cactus and Grapefruit League play just around the bend, it's time for your weekly look at the top 10 position battles in baseball right now.  —  1. Angels fourth/fifth starters  —  The contenders: Joe Saunders, Darren Oliver  —  The favorite: Depends ...

Maine can show he's man  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — John Maine is supposed to be competing for a job in this year's rotation, but it would be a serious upset if he is not a part of it.  Maine already has a locker in rotation row - right next to Tom Glavine - and they asked …

Solid first impression  —  Igawa shows promise in two shutout innings against minor-leaguers  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Several times during Randy Johnson's warm-up sessions over the past two years, a photographer or two made the mistake of kneeling several feet behind the plate.  —  Johnson hated it.

The scene at Roger Dean Stadium  —  JUPITER — The simple pleasures of life need not be enhanced by cutting-edge computer graphics to be appreciated.  Simple pleasures, in fact, may be improved upon in only one way.  —  Multiply them.  —  So it is that two scoops of ice cream melting …

Shortstop could make $90M  —  Young, Rangers close to five- or six-year contract  —  Shortstop Michael Young and the Rangers are in serious negotiations that are expected to lead to him signing a $80 million or $90 million deal with Texas by the end of spring training.

A Debut to Remember, and One to Forget  —  The pristine white uniform with the Old English "D" and No. 65 that Lino Urdaneta wore in his major league debut hangs in a closet in his home in Venezuela, just above his glove and spikes.  —  The other souvenir from that day, Sept. 9, 2004 …

Welcome to the quirky, zany world of the Brothers Giles  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres right fielder Brian Giles, in the shower after a morning workout, steps out and screams for his brother.  —  "Marcus, Marcus, hurry up and get in here," Brian Giles screams.  "Chris is in here."

Santo: The bummer of 69 (percent)  —  Ex-Cub leads voting, but Hall veterans shut him out again  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ron Santo's heart was broken again Tuesday when he was denied entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, leaving the former Cubs icon to wonder whether his day ever will come.

Lincecum leaves ice out in the cold  —  The Giant is a rare pitcher who doesn't chill his shoulder or arm  —  Giants notebook  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Among Tim Lincecum's many rare qualities, there is this: He brings the heat and he doesn't need ice.  —  The 22-year-old right-hander claims …