Challenge Is Issued, and Maine Responds  —  The Chicago Cubs were threatening to break up a scoreless game in the sixth inning yesterday when John Maine reached a crossroads in his season.  From the dugout, Manager Willie Randolph could sense it, too, so he made a rare visit to the mound to offer him a challenge.

Nats continue streak amid questions  —  Soriano, Hernandez deliver in potentially final home game  —  WASHINGTON — On a normal day, most of the postgame questions would have gone to Nick Johnson, asking about his clutch two-run single in the seventh inning that gave the Nationals the lead over the Giants for good.

Bobblehead boom appears to be slowing  —  Michael Bass has a serious penchant for collecting, and bobbleheads have found a prominent place in his busy but tidy Vero Beach, Fla. room.  —  Bass, who has been collecting bobbleheads for five years, owns and proudly displays 27, including a 1967 Baltimore Colts bobblehead.

Foulke Considers Calling It Quits  —  Injuries Frustrating Former Closer  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Keith Foulke is trying to salvage more than this season.  Hampered by injuries the past 18 months, his career has taken such a drastic downturn that the former closer isn't sure he wants to pitch beyond this year.

Agressive Astros looking to add more 'punch'  —  The defending National League champion Astros plan a major push to add an impact hitter before Monday's non-waiver deadline.  —  How major?  —  The club intends to be "super-aggressive," one major-league official says …

Padres-Rockies Preview  —  Lots of pitchers fare poorly in Coors Field, but few have more trouble there than San Diego Padres starter Woody Williams .  —  Williams looks to end his struggles at the hitter-friendly Colorado ballpark and lead the Padres to their second five-game winning streak …

Hendry: Baker to stay for rest of season  —  Cubs GM to try and make decision soon after end of campaign  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Thursday that Dusty Baker will remain as the manager for the remainder of the season in an effort to eliminate any speculation that Baker would be replaced before that.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Playing Matchmaker  —  How beautiful would it be to acquire Alfonso Soriano?  That depends on just who the beholder is.  There are probably seven teams that are legitimate contenders to acquire Soriano, or one of the two other big bats on the market—Bobby Abreu and Carlos Lee …

Batting around with Nate McLouth  —  Pirates center fielder sits down with MLB.com  —  MLB.com: Who was your favorite player when you were a kid?  —  Nate McLouth: Ken Griffey Jr. I loved his swing.  I think it's still the prettiest one there is.  I loved the way he played center field.

Party crashers  —  Less than seven weeks since they were lifeless, the Minnesota Twins left Ozzie Guillen speechless and now everyone in the American League is sleepless at the thought of October in Minneapolis.  —  Or do you think dealing with Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano …

Rays Likely To Offer Lugo Long-Term Deal  —  No - his trade value will never be higher  —  More from this channel:  —  This feature requires the Macromedia Flash Plugin.  Please visit http://www.macromedia.com/go/ getflashplayer to download this plugin.  —  ST. PETERSBURG …

Bernie deserving of a Hall plaque  —  Career achievements worthy of Cooperstown  —  Williams is No. 1 in 10 postseason offensive categories.  —  Late July is the best part of the baseball season.  —  Most baseball aficionados would disagree and cite the postseason or spring training …

No room to keep Heath  —  Heath Bell proved the odd man out after yesterday's game.  The Mets sent the reliever to Triple-A Norfolk to clear room for Pedro Martinez's activation from the disabled list.  —  Martinez, battling a balky right hip and then suspected food poisoning …

The Rumor Mill: The Maine Attraction.  —  As the trade deadline approaches, both New York clubs are still focused on their targets, but the cast of characters that are being discussed seem to be changing from hour to hour .  That's the word that Gotham Baseball Magazine is getting as we make the rounds for this latest Rumor Mill.

Batter up!  Sports economics hits field  —  WASHINGTON — Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan honed his math skills by perusing baseball data.  —  Current Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, for fun, has contrived ways to improve baseball's earned-run average — the statistic used to assess pitcher performance.