Seeking relief, Mets exploring deal for Fuentes  —  CHICAGO — With relievers Billy Wagner and Aaron Heilman struggling, the Mets have expressed interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, according to two Major League Baseball sources.  The Mets approached the Rockies last winter about acquiring Fuentes, offering up Heilman.

Indians flounder, Sabathia is trade bait again  —  About a month and a half ago, The Star-Ledger reported that the Cleveland Indians had told their scouts to pay special attention to the farm systems of certain select teams (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets, some others) that would be likely …

Madden: Willie knows Met injuries are no excuse  —  Throughout this time of personal crisis, Willie Randolph has been loathe to cite the fact that the team everyone - his bosses most of all - proclaimed to be worthy of going all the way to the World Series has been beset by injuries all season.

Yanks aiming to keep .500 behind them  —  New York (36-33) at Houston (33-36), Sunday, 2:05 p.m. ET  —  HOUSTON — The Yankees spent the first 68 games of their season trying to get to three games over the .500 mark.  Having finally accomplished it, they'd like to believe they've left the break-even mark behind for good.

Hernandez caps wild win for Orioles  —  Catcher hits walk-off single in ninth after Salazar's homer ties it  —  BALTIMORE — If the Orioles have proved one thing this season, it's that no opponent's lead is safe — 19 of the team's 34 wins have been come-from-behind victories.

NEVER MORE POPULAR, HERNANDEZ IS THE REAL MR. MET  —  Keith Hernandez cried after getting traded to the Mets 25 years ago today.  He had been taken away from the Cardinals, the only team he had ever known and sent to the Mets, who hadn't been to the playoffs in 10 years.

Byrd likely to play into doubleheader  —  Texas (34-35) at New York (32-34), Sunday, 12:10 p.m. CT  —  NEW YORK — Marlon Byrd, out of the starting lineup for the first two games of the Rangers' series with the Mets, could be back on the field on Sunday at Shea Stadium.

JOBA II . . . WITH A TWIST  —  ROBERTSON'S KILLER CURVE WILL CARRY HIM TO BRONX  —  THERE are two young relievers on the fast track to Yankee Stadium, one you've heard about - Mark Melancon.  The other has been quietly streaking up the ranks.  His name is David Robertson.  —  Remember the name.

SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...  TOM SEAVER  —  The Post's Steve Serby chatted with the Hall of Fame right-hander, who 31 years ago today was traded to the Reds on arguably the most infamous day in Mets history.  —  Q: Were you heartened by angry Mets fan reaction to your June 15, 1977 blockbuster trade to the Reds?

Rockies official talks Drillers, future  —  IT'S BEEN AN up-and-down spring throughout the Colorado Rockies organization after their magical run to the National League pennant last fall.  —  Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett has seen the Tulsa Drillers at their best and worst this year.

A Jay who'd like to be a Cub  —  CUBS IN BRIEF  —  TORONTO — One day after beating the Cubs in Toronto, Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett liked the idea of a trade to the Cubs so much he might as well have said, “Please.”  —  “As of right now I'm a Blue Jay, and I'm going to pitch to the best …

Hall of Fame Game Is Going, Going . . .  Sometime late tomorrow afternoon one of the grandest of baseball traditions will end — and only the Cubs and Padres will be able to boast — or lament — that they played the final Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny to have shoulder examined  —  After taking another loss today, he will return to Los Angeles on Sunday.  “I knew I probably shouldn't have gone out there,” he said after a 12-7 loss to Detroit.  —  Brad Penny, who extended his winless streak to eight starts …