Two Padres Accused in Crime Sweep : Baseball: Scott Sanders and Derek Bell are charged with misdemeanor of patronizing a prostitute in New York City.

Two San Diego Padre players were arrested Tuesday for allegedly propositioning undercover policewomen during an anti-prostitution sweep on a Manhattan street corner.

Pitcher Scott Sanders and outfielder Derek Bell were arrested about 2 a.m. EDT on a misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute. The arrests came 18 hours before they were due at Shea Stadium to play the New York Mets.

The two pleaded innocent Tuesday evening to soliciting a prostitute. They turned down a deal in which they would have pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, do one day of community service, spend a day in a health seminar and pay $45 in fees and fines.

They were released on their own recognizance and are due back in court June 17.

“The ballclub is investigating the situation to see what all is involved,” Padre spokesman Jim Ferguson said.

“We apologize to the San Diego fans. We were at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Bell said Tuesday night. “Any time you’re in New York, you’re in the wrong place. We want to represent the team in the right way. We were wrong.”

Sanders pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of the San Diego Padres’ 6-3 victory over the Mets on Tuesday night.

“They’re all adults,” Padre Manager Jim Riggleman said of his players. “Once the ump said, ‘Play ball,’ they did. (Sanders) shut out the comments from the stands. . . . the guys felt good for Scott. This was his first relief appearance in a long time.”

Bell did not play. After the game he congratulated Sanders, his arm around the pitcher’s shoulder.