More bang for the buck  —  Dice-K must improve efficiency in 2nd year … OAKLAND, Calif. - So, what's it going to take to get through five innings tonight?  Ninety pitches?  A hundred?  A buck-ten?  —  One start into his second major league season, Daisuke Matsuzaka will return …

Santana takes charge as Mets top Marlins in opener  —  MIAMI - Perfection?  Not this time.  No-hitter?  Sure, for three innings.  For those expecting Johan Santana to make history in a Mets uniform, try to be patient.  —  This was, after all, Opening Day, and doesn't the season ahead look …

3 years for Wheeler; C.C. option picked up, Rocco declined  —  The Rays did as expected Tuesday in picking up OF Carl Crawford's 2009 option for $8.25-million and declining OF Rocco Baldelli's $6-million option by giving him a $4-million buyout and making him a free agent after the season …

DeWitt's Dodgers debut is a hit  —  Emergency opening-day starter at third base singles for his first major league hit, scores a run and starts a key double play, all in the same inning.  —  The kid started the spring in minor league camp, and his reward for being promoted was a jersey without his name across the back.

Report: Average MLB salary tops $3M for first time  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez makes more this year than his entire hometown Florida Marlins team.  —  Boosted by his new deal with the New York Yankees, A-Rod tops the major league baseball salary list at $28 million, according to a study of contract terms by The Associated Press.

GWEN KNAPP  —  For those who think Zito is a bust, here's the evidence  —  (04-01) 04:00 PDT Los Angeles —  Barry Zito didn't nibble around the plate Monday, didn't get “too fine” with his fastball, didn't fail to attack the strike zone.  None of his usual explanations for a bad outing …

Wells ready for fresh start  —  Rainout gives former St. Louis pitcher high-profile chance with Rockies  —  ST. LOUIS — Kip Wells never figured on this, not after how spring training went, not after how last season ended.  —  Wells starting opening day in St. Louis?  Las Vegas wouldn't dare run those odds.

Jose Canseco backs off Roger Clemens steroids claims, warns A-Rod  —  Jose Canseco leaned back in an overstuffed chair in the lobby of his hotel Monday with a rum drink and a big smile.  He had just completed taping a segment with David Letterman to promote his new book, “Vindicated,” …

Santana gives Mets a real ‘dominating’ effort in opener … MIAMI — He's the perfect cure for the 6-month-old nightmare that won't go away.  —  He's a dose of amnesia for a team that's trying to perfect the art of forgetfulness.  —  He's the great Johan Santana.

You Could Look It Up  —  The Anniversary of America  —  I hope you enjoyed Opening Day, or as I like to think of it, the 61st anniversary of America.  Yes, there was 1776, when the 13 colonies declared independence, or 1787, when the current Constitution kicked off, or even 1865 …

LaTroy wears 21 to honor a hero, not knock one  —  LaTroy Hawkins was the Yankees' most significant offseason acquisition and though he surely will be cheered when he first dons pinstripes at the Stadium, some fans will find it an upsetting sight.  —  Hawkins is wearing No. 21 this season.

What an entrance: Fukudome arrives  —  Outfielder goes 3-for-3, including game-tying three-run homer  —  CHICAGO — Cubs fans apparently don't have a problem pronouncing Kosuke Fukudome's name.  —  The crowd of 41,089 at Wrigley Field for Monday's season opener chanted the Japanese outfielder's name …