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 …

Backstop's backside an issue  —  When Jason Varitek grounded a ball to second baseman Jose Lopez in the second inning yesterday and Lopez bobbled it, Varitek had a chance to beat it out.  But one look at the Sox catcher — limping up the line — indicated he not only would be out on the play but could be out for some time.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Hitting coaches pop up under the Dome  —  Oliva, Molitor, Ullger joined Vavra after poor road trip  —  Six games into the Twins' home schedule, two major figures have cast large shadows across the Metrodome diamond.  —  One is Twins legend Tony Oliva, who has spent almost every moment …