Mets Have No Defense for Pérez's Seven Ball Fours  —  Oliver Pérez's last outing at Shea Stadium in 2006 went a lot better than his first one in 2007.  —  Pérez started Game 7 of last year's National League Championship Series and left the mound to a standing ovation …

On this night, not good enough  —  There's a good chance the commuter trains were a little less crowded in Tokyo today.  It was morning rush hour (8:11 a.m.) in the Japanese capital when Ichiro stepped to the plate to face Daisuke Matsuzaka at 7:11 p.m. at Fenway Park last night.

Falling body sends fan to DL  —  Ellen Massey always counted being struck by a baseball or a bat at Shea Stadium among the hazards of being a Mets fan, but she never thought a 300-pound man would come crashing down the stands — and onto her.  —  That's what the Manhattan resident, 58, said happened on Monday, Opening Day at Shea.

Notes: Milledge eyeing the weather  —  Young outfielder's short-term fate lies with forecast  —  NEW YORK — Lastings Milledge has uncommon interest in the Thursday weather; so, too, Willie Randolph, Rick Peterson and Mike Pelfrey.  The equation is quite simple.

Numbers too large for Jackie Robinson tribute?  —  MINNEAPOLIS — It was designed as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, but Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter and others are questioning the motives of a growing number of players who will wear Robinson's retired number Sunday.

Mussina leaves game at Minnesota in third  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Yankees starter Mike Mussina was taken out of Wednesday's game at Minnesota three batters into the third inning.  —  After allowing consecutive hits to Luis Rodriguez and Alexi Casilla at the start of the inning …

Here Today ...  ... but gone after '08?  It's starting to look that way for Johan Santana, who has broken off contract talks with the Twins  —  The Twins may be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to extend Johan Santana's four-year, $40 million contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Nats lose for sixth straight time  —  Williams tosses five effective innings, but bats silenced  —  ATLANTA — Prior to Wednesday's game against the Braves, manager Manny Acta was a patient man, even though the Nationals had struggled over the previous eight games.

Citi Field taking shape  —  Hopes for area revival rise alongside Mets' future home  —  NEW YORK — It's not much to look at right now — a twisted mass of concrete and steel, hovering low beyond Shea Stadium's outfield wall — but the cranes bobbing and weaving systematically through …

Notes: Wright sore, struggling  —  Starter could be odd man out with Gagne set to return  —  ARLINGTON — Jamey Wright's disappointing effort Tuesday could be his last start for a while.  Reports of lingering shoulder discomfort, coupled with his inability to pitch out of the third inning …

LA Angels 4, Cleveland 1  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joe Saunders made sure any home-field advantage the Cleveland Indians brought with them to Milwaukee was only temporary.  —  Now if he could just figure out where he fits in the Los Angeles Angels' future.  —  Saunders allowed a run and four hits …