Finger may keep Crisp on sideline  —  BALTIMORE — The optimistic spin on Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp before yesterday's 4-1 victory over the Orioles, a game in which he was replaced by Adam Stern, was that the finger injury he suffered Saturday would not stop him from being ready for Opening Day tomorrow at Fenway Park.

Cliff wary of swarming Nats  —  Cliff Floyd has been one of the few players on the Mets not off to a strong start at the plate, so he was out of the lineup yesterday against lefty Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis.  —  But the idle time only allowed Floyd (3-for-15, .200) more time to talk …

Rockies' Sullivan ties MLB triples record  —  Cory Sullivan had a case of triple vision for the Colorado Rockies.  Sullivan tied a major league record by hitting two triples during a seven-run fifth inning, helping Colorado rout the San Diego Padres 10-4 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Patterson goes for series split  —  Washington (2-4) at Houston (4-2), 2:05 p.m. ET  —  After dropping two of three over the weekend, the Nationals hope to split the four-game series as they take on the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Monday afternoon.  —  John Patterson will take the mound for the Nationals.

Bonds' slump shows Giant revelation  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Who needs Barry Bonds?  —  You're right, stupid question.  Point taken.  —  The Giants obviously need him — despite the super sized BALCO baggage he carries, the 24-7 ESPN coverage he commands and the circus that follows him from town to town …

Notes: Young Marlins yearning for home  —  Uggla looks forward to getting to know newborn son  —  NEW YORK — On the road since March 31, the Marlins are eager to return to South Florida.  —  If the road trip has seemed exceedingly long, that's because it has been.

Clutch double gives Wilkerson a boost  —  Despite leadoff man's .188 average, Showalter not planning change  —  ARLINGTON - Perhaps no one needed to drive in the winning runs Sunday more than leadoff hitter Brad Wilkerson.  —  It has not been a good start for Wilkerson.

Kinsler's beginning is almost dreamlike  —  Rookie Surpris  —  ARLINGTON — Ian Kinsler projects the raw sort of joy that you would expect from a rookie who is living his dream of being a major league baseball player.  —  But even his most inspired fantasy did not prepare him for his first week with the Rangers.

Strike 1 for new Shea plan  —  DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF  —  The Mets' amazin' new stadium plan just got thrown a curveball.  —  The City Council's finance committee is threatening to cancel a hearing on the stadium following a secret 41/2-hour meeting between members …

Goin' Deep: Procedural rules  —  Once a month, "Going Deep" will go interactive, giving you the opportunity to get your questions about baseball's procedural rules answered.  If you have questions you'd like considered for next month's Q&A, send them to newbergreport@sbcglobal.net, and please include your name and city.

Willis, stadium deal key issues for Marlins  —  In the opinion of several general managers, it's practically a given that the Marlins will trade left-hander Dontrelle Willis before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.  —  Marlins president David Samson, however, calls such a deal "highly unlikely."

Sources: Ortiz extension may be announced today  —  Chances appear high that the Red Sox and designated hitter David Ortiz will announce a contract extension as soon as today.  —  Both sides are keeping extremely quiet, but multiple baseball sources indicated last night that a deal was near for the Red Sox slugger.

Anderson's glove a hit  —  But bat's not on the ball  —  Anderson Hernandez swears he doesn't peek up at the scoreboard whenever he strolls to the plate this season.  Not even a quick glance, nothing.  —  "No, I don't watch that," Hernandez said.  —  Really, what's the point?

Yankees power past Colon  —  Out-of-sorts ace exits in third as Angels miss chance at sweep  —  ANAHEIM — It may be early for concern, but Bartolo Colon is not himself.  —  Two starts into the season, Colon has yet to show the form that garnered Cy Young Award honors a year ago and he's looked less than ordinary in the process.