While Prince Fielder took batting practice at Dodger Stadium before last night's game, no fewer than nine stern-faced members of the ballpark's security staff maintained a vigilant presence outside the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse.

They were on heightened alert to prevent any recurrence of what took place the night before, when the burly slugger stormed across the hall after the Brewers' 17-4 loss and attempted to force his way into the Dodgers locker room to confront reliever Guillermo Mota.

Mota hit Fielder with a fastball with two outs in the ninth inning, presumably as payback for Chris Smith grazing Manny Ramirez with a pitch two innings earlier.

"I think Prince's actions certainly were inappropriate and regrettable, and they will be dealt with appropriately by Major League Baseball," Brewers manager Ken Macha said.

As was the case Tuesday night, Fielder — who played with Mota in Milwaukee last season — didn't offer any insight as to why he reacted so violently.

"I don't remember that. I'm just trying to play baseball and win tonight's game," the All-Star first baseman said. "I think he was just trying to come inside and it got away from him. He was trying to hit his spot. I wish he hit his spot, but it just missed. All that other stuff is out of my control. ... He's not on my team now, so we're not teammates. ... I'm not too worried about (bad) blood."

During a spring training game in 2003, Mets star Mike Piazza was hit by a pitch from Mota — then with the Dodgers — and rushed the mound, setting off a wild brawl. Later, Piazza barged into the Los Angeles locker room looking for Mota, but the reliever was gone.

ELSEWHERE

Phillies: Pedro Martinez recorded nine of his first 12 outs by strikeout and worked six innings for Double-A Reading last night, in what could have been his final rehab start before joining Philadelphia.

In his best start since signing a one-year deal July 15, the 37-year-old Martinez allowed three runs and five hits without walking a batter against the New York Yankees' Trenton affiliate in Reading, Pa. He finished with 11 strikeouts.

Mets: New York rookie Jonathon Niese tore his right hamstring while covering first base against the St. Louis Cardinals and then collapsed during a practice pitch.

Niese was hurt in the second while catching a throw near first base from shortstop Angel Berroa. Niese stretched and wound up doing the splits.

Red Sox: Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay re-injured his right hamstring last night and expects to miss at least the first two games of Boston's upcoming series against the New York Yankees.