Mets' test is to Brave best  —  Early risers ready for old pros  —  For two weeks now, the Mets have had it all.  From great starting pitching to super-productive hitting to strong play off the bench and out of the bullpen, they have been baseball's best team.

Nationals GM Bowden arrested, charged with DUI  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals general manager Jim Bowden was arrested and charged with driving under the influence while in Florida during his team's series against the Marlins last weekend.  —  The Nationals released a statement from Bowden …

Giants trainer Conte subpoenaed to testify in probe  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The head athletic trainer for the San Francisco Giants was told to appear before a federal grand jury investigating whether Barry Bonds lied about his connection to the BALCO steroids scandal.

Pirates Notebook: La Russa discards last year's messes  —  Tony La Russa yesterday could offer no reason why any animosity should have existed between his St. Louis Cardinals and the Pirates last season.  —  Not when he examined the issue at its root, that being the spikes-up slide …

Euphoria engulfs Fenway: Loretta walkoff homer stuns Mariners  —  At nearly the exact moment that Robert Cheruiyot entered Kenmore Square yesterday afternoon en route to a record-setting Patriots Day victory in the Boston Marathon, a roar went up from about a block-and-a-half away …

Brewers can't hold on to late lead  —  Three home runs not enough as Astros surge in seventh  —  HOUSTON — The Brewers knew they were in for a tough road when they headed out to St. Louis, New York and Houston for their first trip of the season.  —  Who knew it would be this tough?

Strained rib cage for Floyd  —  Cliff Floyd, already frustrated by a slow start, now has to cope with the possibility of missing time.  He suffered a left rib-cage strain while running the bases last night in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Braves.  —  Floyd led off the fourth inning with a double …

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.

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 …

Veterans having their day for Phils  —  THEY ARE the face of the Phillies, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and maybe that's how it should be.  They are young, talented power hitters, destined to anchor the lineup for years to come.  —  For now, though, the cornerstones make the team go.

Wily and woolly adventure: Pena has more woes with glove  —  In the field, at least, Wily he ain't.  After all, he tends to hand out extra bases like Halloween candy.  —  The Red Sox did not acquire Wily Mo Pena for his glove, however.  Pena proved that again yesterday in a 3-2 Red Sox win during …

SHEA STADIUM  —  Queens, N.Y.  —  Opened: 1964  —  Capacity: 57,045  —  Average Ticket Price: $23.66  —  Average Cost of Concessions and Souvenirs: $90.49  —  Pluses:  —  Subway, bus and ferry all offer cheap and traffic-free (in the case of the subway and ferry) access to the stadium; plentiful parking in on-site lot.

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."