Mets Learn a Lesson About Maintaining Focus  —  Aaron Heilman fielded Chris Burke's grounder; his mistake was taking it to first.  Burke beat him to the bag.  —  Despite what it says on the schedule, the Mets will probably not play their next meaningful game until October.

BOMBERS' ABREU BID REJECTED  —  July 24, 2006 — TORONTO - The Yankees have made an offer to the Phillies for outfielder Bobby Abreu that was immediately turned down because it didn't include major league-ready talent or top prospect Phil Hughes.  —  Like other teams, the Yankees believe …

Pedro starts day with cheer  —  Pedro Martinez bounded into the Met clubhouse yesterday morning with a wide grin and greetings for teammates, reporters and everyone else inside.  —  "Happy morning, everyone," Martinez exclaimed.  His buoyancy was the first sign that he was OK after Saturday's 80-pitch throwing session.

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  The San Diego Padres are in first place in the NL West, but they have been struggling since the All-Star break.  They will face the worst team since the break Monday when they open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Erratic Outing by Ponson Is Sorry Reminder for Yanks  —  TORONTO, July 23 — Carl Pavano travels with the Yankees now, reminding them of what they are missing.  He throws in the bullpen (fastballs only) and works in the weight room.  He munches on candy bars in the clubhouse and makes regular visits to the massage table.

Paul's rule of thumb: play hurt  —  While Paul Lo Duca thinks he may have a broken bone or an injured ligament in the hand he slips into his catcher's mitt, he has no intention of finding out exactly what the problem is anytime soon.  —  "It doesn't matter," Lo Duca said.

Sox can't get handle on Seattle  —  SEATTLE — Manny Ramírez may have done the smartest thing any Red Sox outfielder did yesterday afternoon when he took advantage of a break in the action in the sixth inning — reliever Craig Hansen was trotting in to pitch — to grab a seat in the Sox bullpen.

Nats Win, Soriano Watch Escalates  —  Kasten Weighs In On Slugger's Status : Nationals 7, Cubs 1  —  He draws the loudest cheers, hits the longest home runs, smiles the brightest smile.  When Alfonso Soriano launched a ball deep toward left field yesterday at RFK Stadium …

Pirates Notebook: Littlefield expects more than one trade  —  MIAMI — Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield expressed confidence that he will make more than one deal before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, reiterating that his counterparts covet the veterans he is offering.

Just win, baby  —  Like Valenzuela, Weaver wins first seven starts  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Even without his best stuff, Jered Weaver won again.  —  Struggling early with his breaking ball, the 6-foot-7 right-hander still became the first rookie in 25 years to win his first seven starts Sunday …

Showalter hospitalized for dehydration  —  Rangers manager misses Sunday's loss to White Sox  —  CHICAGO - Rangers manager Buck Showalter missed Sunday's game while being treated at a Chicago hospital for dehydration symptoms.  —  Showalter, 50, said he felt a fluttery heart Sunday morning …

Johjima's Play Bridges the Communication Gap  —  When he was signed by the Seattle Mariners to a three-year contract for $16.5 million before this season, the concern about Kenji Johjima was whether he could communicate with the pitchers as the first Japanese catcher in the major leagues.

Don't count out A-Rod in blue stripes  —  Remember Hendry's 2004 surprise  —  Jim Hendry has pulled a rabbit out of his hat before at the trade deadline.  But can the Cubs general manager top the Nomar Garciaparra deal of 2004 this time around?  —  It's not impossible.