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 …

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.

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.

Texas Rangers' Kinsler fights illness  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SEATTLE - Ian Kinsler started the year hitting 103.  That's never a good number, whether you are talking about batting average or body temperature.  —  In Kinsler's case, it was the latter, and it nearly took him out of the lineup for Monday's season opener.

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 …

HANK WON'T MISS FIRST GAME  —  At least one member of the Yankees family wasn't too disappointed about yesterday's opening day rainout.  —  Hank Steinbrenner had remained in Tampa to take care of personal business, but expects he will be at the Stadium for tonight's rescheduled opener against the Blue Jays.

Interview - Art Garfamudis - Writer, ESPN Page 2  —  There has not been a more controversial and colorful writer to storm the national sports press since Ring Lardner.  His commentary on topics ranging from the Hall of Fame selection to the New England Patriots has created watercooler …

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 …

Fish shtick  —  MIAMI GARDENS — It didn't take much to coax Steve Bauer to try out for the Florida Marlins' new all-male dance team.  —  “It said, ‘Fat guys with no experience.’ That's me,” said Bauer, 33, a peanut vendor at Marlins games who is 5-foot-11 and 275 pounds.

Zambrano suffers forearm cramps  —  The Cubs have pleaded with Carlos Zambrano to drink fluids during starts to prevent the cramping that has haunted him in the past, but their words have fallen on deaf ears.  —  And when Zambrano's most dominant Opening Day performance was halted …

L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke top columnist, once again  —  Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times won the sports column writing category for the third time in four years, highlighting final judging results announced Tuesday in the 2007 Associated Press Sports Editors contest.

Red Sox wine is done while Yankee variety a hit  —  Opening Day was a washout for the Yankees, but they managed to score a big win anyway - in a wine-tasting with the hated Red Sox.  —  Charity Wines' Longball Cellars brand uses baseball players to market a selection of wines …

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,” …