Pedro's 200th aces Atlanta  —  Milestone puts magic in Met numbers  —  Don't worry, Braves, there's always the wild card.  —  Pedro Martinez notched career win No. 200 and the Mets continued to make history by beating nemesis Atlanta, 4-3, last night at Shea in the first of nine meetings between …

With one swing, holiday experience becomes a blast for Dad  —  This was all new to him, the visitor from Southern California said, this quirky regional holiday known as Patriots Day (''Got to have something to do with the Revolution, right?"), a ballgame that started before lunchtime …

Strained rib cage forces Floyd out  —  Xavier Nady seemingly is producing enough for three men right now.  That's a good thing, because he currently is the only healthy starting outfielder on the Mets.  —  Cliff Floyd joined Carlos Beltran in the trainer's room last night …

Notes: Small getting closer to return  —  Righty throws four scoreless innings in hamstring rehab outing  —  TORONTO — Aaron Small took a big step toward a return to the Yankees on Monday, throwing four innings in an extended Spring Training game in Clearwater, Fla.

Notes: Kent shaking off plunking effects  —  Robles promoted, Ross reassigned; Nomar nears return  —  LOS ANGELES — Jeff Kent survived his Sunday night beaning, but not unscathed.  —  "I've been hit in the head a few times," said Kent.  "That one hurt.  I should have retired.  One pitch too late."

Drese Will Return From Elbow Injury  —  MIAMI, April 17 — Washington Nationals right-hander Ryan Drese received a much better-than-expected diagnosis of the injury to his right elbow on Monday, and he won't have to undergo season-ending surgery as was originally feared.

Fan charged after throwing object at Bonds  —  PHOENIX — A 23-year-old Arizona man was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly throwing an object at Barry Bonds during Monday night's game between San Francisco and Arizona.  —  The object, which resembled a toothpaste tube …

For the Rangers, a staff to lean on  —  Reliable starting pitching helps build clubhouse trust  —  SEATTLE - Maybe they are no longer the Texas Strangers.  —  There's nothing like a little quality starting pitching to bring a team full of newcomers together.  Well, nothing except a lot of quality starting pitching.

Big hit was just what Wilkerson needed  —  SEATTLE - Brad Wilkerson definitely needed a confidence boost at the plate.  He finished Sunday as the major league leader in strikeouts, with 23 in just 13 games.  —  Wilkerson got a lift in his final at-bat against the A's.

Pujols puts on a show  —  His third HR lifts Cardinals in ninth  —  Albert Pujols gets a hug after blasting a walkoff homer in the ninth against the Reds.  (AP Photo)  —  ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols hit three home runs, including a winning drive that erased a ninth-inning deficit and put …

At tipping point of game, Cabrera stands his ground  —  Half the time he looks like a future All-Star.  Half the time he looks like a future minor leaguer.  We're left with one question to ponder: Can an arm suffer from multiple-personality disorder?  —  If you were worried about Daniel Cabrera …

Leg injury puts Griffey back on DL  —  CINCINNATI —Ken Griffey Jr. asked reporters who they thought would be cleared off the active roster to open a spot when Jason LaRue returned later in the week.  —  He got his answer a few hours later, and it wasn't the one he expected.

Shoulder rehab weighs on Wood  —  Says elbow surgery was easier to handle  —  LOS ANGELES — Kerry Wood said Monday that rehabbing from his shoulder surgery has been much more difficult, both physically and mentally, than coming back from elbow reconstruction surgery in 2000.