MET NOTES

WASHINGTON – Heading into the ninth inning yesterday, the Mets hadn’t walked any Nationals batters all day. But in the ninth, Billy Wagner came in and walked three.

In the Mets’ 7-1 win, Wagner had a poor and even disturbing frame. He didn’t give up any runs, but he loaded the bases before striking out Ryan Zimmerman to end the game.

“I really think I was a little stronger than usual,” Wagner explained regarding his control issues, adding that “everything was out of sync.”

It was surprising to see Wagner even in the game, since the Mets were up six runs going into the bottom of the inning and don’t have a day off until April 27.

Willie Randolph, though, said Wagner “needs to throw. He needs to get some pitching in.”

Both Randolph and Wagner said the closer could pitch today.

Wagner pitched only seven innings in spring training due to tendon sheath stiffness in his left middle finger and said, “I feel mechanically rusty.”

*

There were no batters hit by pitches yesterday, so, thus far, the Nationals have not retaliated for last week’s events at Shea. The Mets hit six Nationals in the three-game set at Shea, while only one Met was hit.

Pedro Martinez, though, goes tonight, so his start will be the key one to monitor. Martinez, who heard boos during yesterday’s player introductions, hit three Nationals last week, including Jose Guillen twice. The second time, Guillen began to charge the mound.

A page from yesterday’s Post, in which this series (and the potential for fights and retaliations) was written about, was on the Nationals’ greaseboard yesterday with the words “Strap it on!” underneath it.

Before the game yesterday, GM Omar Minaya said he had spoken with MLB, though he didn’t get any warning or indication of possible repercussions.

Said Minaya, “I don’t expect there to be any [incidents] and I think we’ve got . . . professional players that are going to go out there and play the game.”

*

Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch yesterday and heard boos, though there were some cheers. Cheney also was in the Mets’ clubhouse, and Xavier Nady got a signed bat.

Joked Nady, “Probably use it [today].”

*

David Wright’s RBI double yesterday meant that he’s now driven in a run in all six Mets games so far. Last year, Philly’s Pat Burrell did it for the first seven games . . . Kazuo Matsui (right knee MCL sprain) went 0-for-3 yesterday in another extended spring training game.