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 …

Padres-Marlins Preview  —  Off to disheartening starts to the season, the San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins will both be looking to snap losing streaks when they meet Tuesday in the Marlins' home opener.  —  The Padres (1-4) have lost four in a row and were embarrassed by Colorado at home during a three-game sweep over the weekend.

Out: Crisp has broken knuckle; no timetable given for return  —  The two-paragraph release issued by Red Sox physician Thomas Gill yesterday, and the equally brief comments general manager Theo Epstein made, indicated only that Coco Crisp has a nondisplaced fracture at the base of his left index finger …

Rockies report, April 11  —  Scouting Report: Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Series history: Arizona leads 75-60, including 44-22 at Chase Field.  Arizona won two of three last week at Coors Field.  —  Injury report: Right-handed pitcher Brandon Medders (back inflammation) is on the disabled list …

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 …

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.

Foulke closer to old form: Delivers in set-up role  —  BALTIMORE - Jonathan Papelbon may be closing games for the Red Sox, but Keith Foulke demonstrated once again yesterday that a return to his old form can't be written off.  —  Papelbon picked up all three saves on the 5-1 road trip …

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.

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) …

It's Early, but the Mets' Glass Is at Least Half Full  —  A pessimist could attribute the Mets' 4-1 start to a forgiving schedule that included a string of home games against what are presumed to be the lesser teams in the National League East.  An optimist could consider the same evidence …

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.

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.

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 …