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 …

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.

Opportunity Knocks, But Nats Kick It Away  —  HOUSTON, April 9 — They could have held a slim lead, yet Royce Clayton threw away one ball from shortstop, and Alfonso Soriano had another scoot past him in left, those in the third inning alone.  They might have held the Houston Astros scoreless in the fifth …

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.

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."

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 …

Colon Cures Yankee Slump  —  New York tees off on the Angel pitcher, who gives up eight runs in two innings in a 10-1 loss.  —  Bartolo Colon insists the shoulder he injured in October is OK and the groin he tweaked last week is fine.  He doesn't feel he's overthrowing, as his manager suggested Sunday.

Notes: Brewers look back at the '80s  —  Retro uniforms stir up memories of 1987 club  —  MILWAUKEE — A week remains before the Easter holiday.  —  Still, those in attendance when the Brewers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park on Sunday may have had it on their minds when they gazed out at their undefeated baseball team.

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 …

Ex-Baseball Player Billy Hitchcock Dies  —  OPELIKA, Ala. — Billy Hitchcock, a major league infielder during the 1940s and '50s who went on to manage three teams, died at 89.  —  He died Sunday, according to Auburn, where Hitchcock led the university to its first bowl game and its first Southeastern Conference baseball title.

Jones suffers sprained ankle, twisted knee  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Atlanta's Chipper Jones went down with a sprained right ankle and twisted right knee Sunday when the third baseman charged in on Mike Matheny's slow roller in the eighth inning of the Braves' 6-5 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

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?

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.

Beltre on brink of being a bust  —  The World Baseball Classic made many Mariners fans giddy.  Forget the U.S. flop — Adrian Beltre found his stroke!  —  Beltre, whose first season in Seattle was mediocre at best after he signed a five-year, $64 million contract, belted four home runs …

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.

First Week Notes  —  On the heels of my Opening Day Notes last Tuesday, I thought it would be appropriate to add a few more facts, observations, and questions into the mix after the first week of the season.  —  Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon...  - Jered Weaver made a brilliant debut at the Triple-A level on Saturday.

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.