Pedro leads Mets to fifth straight win  —  Right-hander survives bases-loaded jam in second victory  —  WASHINGTON — When it finally happened, the confrontation between Pedro Martinez and Jose Guillen was all about baseball and none of that puffed up, WWE back-and-forth prompted by last week's hit-by-pitch festival at Shea Stadium.

Notes: Hermida given day off  —  Right fielder is listed as day-to-day with sore hip flexor  —  MIAMI — One of the Marlins' top young players was not in the lineup Wednesday afternoon because of tightness in his right hip.  —  Rookie right fielder Jeremy Hermida aggravated his hip flexor …

Notes: Prior makes more progress  —  Throws 30 pitches in bullpen session on Tuesday  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior threw 30 pitches off the bullpen mound at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, including some breaking balls at the end, and is making good progress in his rehab from a strained muscle in his right shoulder.

Towers left feeling down after loss  —  Missed opportunites, four-run second frame haunts Jays  —  BOSTON — It's not how you start, it's how you finish.  At least that's Toronto's response to it's rocky start to this season.  —  As far as the Blue Jays' 5-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday …

Red Sox, Crisp agree to three-year extension  —  BOSTON — Coco Crisp agreed Wednesday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox.  —  Crisp, on the disabled list with a broken finger, was already signed for this year at $2.75 million.

Notes: Bernie makes 'roll call'  —  Damon thrilled with opener; Pavano 'frustrated' with injury  —  NEW YORK — Many people thought that Bernie Williams had played his last game in a Yankees uniform during last October's playoffs, so the fans were happy to see the veteran outfielder …

Fish experiencing growing pains … MIAMI — Way before the first pitch was thrown in Dolphin Stadium this season, trade rumors had already been surrounding the best two players on the Marlins' roster: third baseman Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis.

Rangers could use what Angels are drinking  —  ANAHEIM — If and when the Rangers ever grow up, this is who they want to be:  —  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  —  I'm not kidding.  —  It is a worthy ambition, too.  —  The Rangers might like to work up a good case of hate for the team …

Win or else  —  Hunter makes it clear his future with Twins is contingent on team's competitiveness  —  Torii Hunter has pictured himself in Yankee pinstripes.  But the Twins' marquee player also can see himself finishing his career in Minnesota.  —  The Gold Glove center fielder's future will play itself out this season.

Stinnett: Catching on with the Yankees  —  This is my first year with the Yankees and I can only describe it so far with one word: Unbelievable.  —  It's by far the best the situation I've ever been in.  I just look around at the names on the lockers here and it is one star player after another.

Notes: Pitching staff needs to step it up  —  Honeycutt believes his crew can do much better  —  PITTSBURGH - Rick Honeycutt pitched in the Major Leagues for 21 seasons, so he knows what it takes, and the new pitching coach doesn't like what he's seen so far from the Dodgers' pitching staff.

Bartholomay throws out first pitch  —  Chairman emeritus thrilled to see baseball thriving in Atlanta  —  ATLANTA — While in his native Chicago a few weeks ago, Braves chairman emeritus Bill Bartholomay ran into an old friend who gave him some pitching advice.

Well, That Was Fun  —  When the highlight of the game you're at is the ceremonial first pitch, it's a pretty good indication that you're at a bad game.  I just hope it doesn't mean a bad season, too.  —  If you missed it, Dick Cheney stormed on to the field to a loud chorus of boos.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Neighborly Baseball  —  One of the underlying themes behind the aggressive approach that Kenny Williams and the White Sox took this off-season is that the Sox are competing not only with their AL Central rivals, but also against the Cubs for the hearts, minds …