Starting today, Mets' Randolph in line of fire  —  After losing three out of four home games to the lowly Washington Nationals, Willie Randolph is officially in danger of losing his job, writes Jim Baumbach.  (Newsday / David L. Pokress)  —  Before the Mets' 1-0 loss to the Nationals yesterday …

THE WINDUP  —  Bronx Cheer  —  Jason Giambi has a rock-star lifestyle, including a pair of gold lamé underwear.  But when it comes to his batting slump this season, the thong remains the same.  —  Jason Giambi has a deep, dark secret.  Deeper than his compulsion to sleep on the side …

Hal Steinbrenner on Yanks: We'll be fine  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hal Steinbrenner flew back to Tampa from the Major League Baseball owners' meetings in Milwaukee yesterday, his belief that the Yankees can be a contender this season intact.  —  In a phone interview that took place shortly …

Phillies Notebook: Phillies GM Gillick says Hamels will get his due, in time  —  When the Phillies renewed Cole Hamels' contract this spring and the lefthander expressed some frustration with his $500,000 salary, that line of thinking dictated the reaction from many fans.

O's Angelos doesn't screech over Nats' downtown promotion  —  Turf war?  What turf war?  —  The Washington Nationals sent their mascot and other representatives to distribute Nationals coolers and pocket schedules yesterday at the Inner Harbor, just blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Outfielder Jacque Jones may be Marlin soon  —  Former Tiger would add depth; Willingham ailing  —  CINCINNATI - Former Tigers outfielder Jacque Jones cleared waivers Thursday morning and could be a Marlin as soon as today, according an industry source who has spoken with club officials.

Holliday: no worries about online fodder  —  PHOENIX — Part of the fallout from losing is that off-field issues become more interesting than on-field performance.  —  Two major media outlets ran identical online stories Thursday regarding Matt Holliday's uncertain future with the Rockies.

Mock Draft: May 16  —  BA takes first stab at first round  —  Projecting the first round of the draft three weeks in advance is never easy, and this year is more difficult than most.  —  None of the four players who entered 2008 as the consensus top four prospects—Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez …

Phillies Notes: Utley has the president's vote  —  It probably won't improve his approval ratings in the Philadelphia area, but President Bush offered an interesting answer this week when asked who would be the first position player he would want if he owned a baseball team again.  —  He would want Chase Utley.

Homers fuel big comeback for Astros  —  Erstad's three-run shot ties it; Berkman's water shot a winner  —  SAN FRANCISCO — What the Astros are doing these days is borderline absurd.  —  Apparently, not even a bad starting performance and shoddy defense are enough to stop them.