Game 1 4/2/07 @ KC  —  Not sure where to even start.  Two words sum it up best, no command.  Can't remember a game where I couldn't make adjustments but today was certainly one of those.  Not so much the secondary pitches but no fastball command is not something that happens much, if at all …

Lawrence wants to curtail rehab  —  Brian Lawrence doesn't want a distraction, just a mutual understanding.  He plans to start the Sky Sox's Triple-A opener Thursday, but has no intention of completing the maximum 30-day rehab assignment.  —  "I understand their position and I just hope they understand my position," Lawrence said.

Mets' Randolph Takes Early Measure of Rookie's Nerve  —  The first day of anyone's major league career is usually filled with special moments.  By the time he put on his uniform Sunday, the Mets rookie reliever Joe Smith said he already had a great one.  —  "I rode a golf cart to the ballpark," Smith said.

For Openers, a Free Fall  —  Logan, Guzman Are Injured; Patterson Is Knocked Out in the Fourth Inning  —  The sun was out, the stands were nearly full, the only clouds in the sky were puffy and white.  But even a pristine setting on the final Opening Day yesterday at RFK Stadium couldn't hide the product on the field.

Yankee Stadiums new and old from the 4 Train platform.  —  Inside the new Stadium looking toward home plate from right field.  —  Looking south along the tracks toward center field.  —  Exiting the 4 Train at 161 Street behind the center field frieze.  —  Looking down from the platform as the crowd starts to gather.

Iffy cloud hovers over Cubs  —  Contract talks with ace Zambrano thrown into limbo  —  CINCINNATI — The Cubs say the announcement Monday morning of the sale of their parent company had no impact on how they played in their season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

La Russa bothered by attention paid to opening lineup  —  A non-combatant in Sunday's 6-1 opening-day loss, Cardinals power project Chris Duncan probably will start in left field and bat second tonight against New York Mets righthander Orlando Hernandez.  —  His manager, however, may have had enough of the issue.

Toronto 5, Detroit 3, 10 innings  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers raised the 2006 AL pennant and fireworks were set off to help commemorate the accomplishment.  —  Three-plus hours later, the Toronto Blue Jays stole the show.  —  Troy Glaus hit a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning …

MASN Flops  —  I wasn't going to complain about this today, but the morning show on WNST Radio on my drive to work today got me all kinds of fired up about it.  —  I was honestly going to just let my opinions about MASN's first regular season broadcast slide.  Maybe it was first game kinks that needed to be worked out.

A first-pitch strike, all right  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hideki Okajima, whose natural inclination is to smile in the face of most circumstances, admitted that he, too, was not anticipating what happened when he threw his first pitch that counted in America's major leagues.

The Best Left-handed Pitchers of 2007  —  This week, I continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young left-handed pitchers.  The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways.  First, only anyone under 25 right now is eligible.

Pays to wear pinstripes  —  Yankees boast four of seven highest-paid players  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees' pinstripes might as well be green.  —  Four of the top seven players on baseball's salary list play in the Bronx, led by Alex Rodriguez at a record $27.7 million …

Opening Day at RFK Brings Smiles, Gripes  —  As the Washington Nationals began a third season yesterday, the sky was cloudless, but neither the home team nor the ballpark seemed quite ready for Opening Day.  —  On the field, the Nats fell behind early and eventually lost their first game of 2007 to the Florida Marlins, 9-2.

Mariners Notebook: Johjima, Hernandez on same page  —  Catcher says first-pitch strikes key to success  —  Catcher Kenji Johjima had a tough time settling in with many of the Mariners' starting pitchers last year, none more so than Felix Hernandez.  —  The maturation of their relationship …

Matthews leaves these questions unanswered  —  There was a bottle of clear liquid in Mr. HGH's locker before the Angels' opener, but I can only guess what it might've been since Gary Matthews wasn't talking to Page 2.  —  He had a big hug for Texas' Sammy Sosa, and I would've asked what they had in common …

Twins batter Bedard … MINNEAPOLIS // Erik Bedard 's walk off the mound was nearly as brisk as manager Sam Perlozzo's trip to get him.  Bedard hung his head, fixated on the Metrodome turf all the way until he disappeared into the Orioles' dugout, a potential statement victory for himself …