It's National alert  —  Mets hope to avoid fight  —  Major League Baseball backed Pedro Martinez and the Mets' contention they did nothing wrong in their bench-clearing incident against Washington last week, suspending and/or fining three members of only the Nationals yesterday on the eve …

Safe: Sox lock up Ortiz's services with a four-year extension  —  Assuming continued good health, surreal production, and no marketplace adjustments, David Ortiz could have played out the remaining two years of his deal with the Red Sox ($6.5 million this year, $8.4 million next year) …

Red Sox place outfielder Coco Crisp on 15-day disabled list, purchase the contract of outfielder Dustan Mohr  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today placed outfielder Coco Crisp on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 9) with a non-displaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …

Recognition comes early for Atkins  —  Play against Padres nets third baseman NL's weekly award  —  PHOENIX - Garrett Atkins epitomizes the Colorado Rockies.  —  He is easily overlooked.  —  But he would like to think he's ready to get some attention.  —  Chalk up a notch of notoriety for Atkins on Monday.

S. Florida apathy rules Opening Day  —  Today is supposed to be about joy, hope and renewal, but it isn't, because we are the single strangest market in the history of Major League Baseball.  The unwanted, unappreciated Florida Marlins return home for a new season this afternoon …

Cheney throws out first pitch at Nats' home opener  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Greeted with loud boos and some cheers, Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday at the Washington Nationals' home opener.  —  He stood directly in front of the mound and released a ball that hit the dirt in front of home plate.

Lee's sweet deal: 5 years, $65 mil.  —  The Cubs have reached agreement on a long-term contract with All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee that will make him their highest-paid player.  —  The deal — completed Monday by Lee, agent Casey Close and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry …

Field of screams  —  Qns. pols balk at Mets' offer  —  DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF  —  Seeking support for its stadium plan, the Mets have offered to spend $200,000 on sports programs for local kids - drawing howls of protest from some Queens lawmakers who demanded a $1 million payout.

Braves send Devine to Triple-A  —  Australian right-hander Moylan called up from Richmond  —  ATLANTA — After Monday night's home-opening win over the Phillies, the Braves announced that they are sending Joey Devine back to Triple-A Richmond.  —  Replacing him on the roster will be Peter Moylan …

O Home Opener,  —  How I dislike your pageantry and the overabundance of the twin-set set in the stands.  But whatever works, and it's always nice to see the Cards Hall-of-Fame contingent out and about.  Red, in particular, looks spry; rather than open the door of the Ford Mustang and walk out …

Now, Winning It All Is the Only Thing  —  The groundskeeper Grant Kirbby putting the finishing touches on the team logo Monday at Yankee Stadium.  The Yankees play their home opener Tuesday.  —  It was 10 years ago this week, against the Kansas City Royals, that Joe Torre managed for the first time at Yankee Stadium.

New park, old feelings  —  They came, all 41,936 of them, to see something new.  —  There awaited the lazy slope of a spanking new ballpark, mostly brick and painted red with freshly laid bluegrass and scoreboards offering sharper colors with vivid signage.

Crisp's star on the rise  —  Coco Crisp is shopping his idea for a new reality show to television networks.  The program, which mixes the elements of dating-themed programs with the reward opportunities of a game show, is tentatively titled, "May/December."

M's take early trip  —  Leaving on Sunday creates rare true off day at cost of family time  —  CLEVELAND — Baseball teams play their 162 games in approximately 180 days, giving them about 18 off days during the season, not counting the All-Star break.  —  Many of the days off …

New ballgame  —  Another season of home improvement  —  It's amazing now to think there were plans to tear the thing down.  —  Fenway Park was in decay, we were told.  It was becoming a safety issue.  The old ballyard was ready to crumble and you could only do so much with another layer …

Notes: Hendrickson heading for the DL  —  Experiences tightness in shoulder after complete-game win  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The last time Mark Hendrickson felt tightness in his throwing shoulder, he was scared.  This time around, he said that he is more familiar about the feeling in his left arm.