Martínez to make first start tomorrow Steinhauer keeps lead at State Farm

New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martínez, recovering from rotator cuff surgery, will make his first start of the season tomorrow at Cincinnati. The three-time Cy Young winner underwent surgery Oct. 5. Martinez hasn't pitched for New York this season but has made four rehab starts, including last Monday night when he gave up an unearned run and five hits in six innings for the Single A St. Lucie Mets. Martinez said he will be limited to 75 pitches total and no more than 35 pitches in one inning . . . St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining multiple fractures of his left eye socket when struck by a foul ball Friday night while waiting in the on-deck circle. The team said in a release that Encarnacion was in the hospital for continued observation, evaluation, and treatment. The statement also said that his long-term prognosis was "undetermined at this time." . . . Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander David Wells dropped the appeal of the seven-game suspension he drew while with the rival San Diego Padres and began serving the punishment last night. Wells will miss his next scheduled start Wednesday at the Chicago Cubs.

Sherri Steinhauer birdied three of her last six holes to hold onto the lead in the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., with defending champion Annika Sorenstam three strokes back after three rounds. Steinhauer, who also led after the first two rounds, had three birdies and two bogeys during an up-and-down round of 1-under 71 that left her at 12-under 204. Rachel Hetherington was a stroke back after a 67, and Christina Kim had a 71 to join Michele Redman at 10 under . . . On the European Tour, Simon Wakefield chipped in for birdie at the last hole to shoot 73 and tie Fredrik Andersson for the third-round lead in the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles, Scotland . . . Hale Irwin shot a 7-under 65 in Pebble Beach, Calif., for a share of the second-round lead with Des Smyth and Gil Morgan in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open on the Champions Tour.

Helio Castroneves won his IndyCar Series-record seventh pole of the season at Belle Isle, edging Dario Franchitti for the top spot in the 18-car field for today's Detroit Indy Grand Prix. Castroneves, who averaged 103.401 miles per hour, broke Billy Boat's 1998 record of six pole-position victories in a season and added to his series record total of 23 . . . Three-time champion Sebastien Bourdais won the pole at Champ Car's maiden Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, Netherlands.

Lawyer Ron captured the $500,000 Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, winning by 8 1/4 lengths at Saratoga Race Course in New York. Trainer Todd Pletcher said the Sept. 30 Jockey Club Gold Cup is under consideration for the 4-year-old colt. Sun King finished second and Diamond Stripes third. In the $250,000 Forego Stakes, Midnight Lute took the lead going into the final turn and ran away from Benny the Bull . . . Edgar Prado, regular rider for 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, was hospitalized with an ankle injury when he was thrown from his mount in the seventh race at Saratoga . . . Rickie, a talented trotter with more than $400,000 in career earnings, will attempt to carry his early speed to victory in the $50,000 final of the Joseph Carney Memorial Trot today at Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H.

Cappie Pondexter scored 9 of her 33 points in the final five minutes and the Mercury advanced to the WNBA finals with a 98-92 win over the San Antonio Silver Stars in Phoenix. The Mercury, who have swept both their playoff series, will play beginning Wednesday against Detroit or Indiana. The Fever lead the best-of-three series, 1-0 . . . Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, and Greg Oden will be on a team of NBA players that will travel to China this month for an exhibition game against Yao Ming and the Chinese national team. . . . Authorities pulled a body from the Delaware River in Wilmington, Del., and there is a "strong likelihood" it is the missing father of Orlando Magic star Jameer Nelson, police said . . . Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal won her first triathlon world title, establishing herself as the favorite for next year's Beijing Olympics . . . Defending World Cup snowboardcross champion Lindsey Jacobellis of Stratton Mountain, Vt., switched to the halfpipe and finished second in the season-opening event in Cardrona, New Zealand. Manuela Laura Pesko of Switzerland won the event. ,