The senior circus  —  National League full of clowns  —  Despair not, Metsophiles, over the loss of Duaner Sanchez, the great unknown of Roberto Hernandez/Aaron Heilman/Royce Ring or even the all-too-frequent high-wire acts of Billy Wagner.  Your postseason is assured and it is the ML …

Rivera-led offense pounds Rangers  —  But Texas stops Vlad's hit streak with three intentional walks  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels rediscovered their rhythm at the plate just as the Rangers finally found a way to stop Vladimir Guerrero — don't pitch to him.  —  Guerrero tied a club record …

Nats drop second straight to Padres  —  Astacio's second start a brief one, after four-run San Diego third  —  WASHINGTON — The first pitch that left Chris Young's hand left the yard, when Alfonso Soriano hit his third leadoff home run of the season to tie the game at 1.

Boston alters deal, gets its man Lopez  —  Tampa Bay fails to hold up the trade, and the Red Sox acquire catcher Javier Lopez from the Orioles.  —  Despite the efforts of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to hold up the deal, the Red Sox were able to acquire catcher Javier Lopez from the Orioles yesterday.

Why not Whitey?  —  Herzog itching to manage again, eyes Cubs job  —  The circumstances would have to be right, but Whitey Herzog told me on the phone Thursday that he would consider coming back to manage a major league baseball team again.  The first thing he wants to let any prospective employer …

Glavine overcomes mind, Phils  —  Even at age 40, even in a big-league career that is in its 20th season, even as he approaches 300 victories, Tom Glavine admits there are times when he thinks too much.  —  "It's like my golf friend says: If I could get my mind out of the way, this would be a beautiful game," he said.

Seat of power in Washington  —  Bowden reflects on Soriano, Peña  —  Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden must feel like a human piñata, having taken a few whacks from pundits for failing to unload Alfonso Soriano at the trading deadline.

Notes: Park recuperating after ailment  —  Peavy's wife donates two units of blood to help pitcher  —  SAN DIEGO — Chan Ho Park was back in the Padres' clubhouse on Friday evening, smiling, upbeat, happy to "feel like 100 percent — my headache is gone" — after his second day of taking units …

Nationals option Roy Corcoran to New Orleans, are expected to recall left-hander Billy Traber on Sunday  —  Following Saturday night's game at PETCO Park, the Washington Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Roy Corcoran to New Orleans of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

Bonds homers in ugly loss for Giants  —  Morris roughed up in sixth inning; Feliz also goes yard  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds' mood was matter-of-fact, terse.  —  "There [were] two unprofessional people out there at that moment," he said after being ejected by home-plate umpire Ron Kulpa …

Team Info  —  World Championships: 3  —  The Orioles placed RHP Kris Benson on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right elbow.  The move is retroactive to July 26, the day after he last pitched.  RHP LaTroy Hawkins returned from bereavement leave and took Benson's spot on the roster.  —  •

MLB Manager Approval Ratings - July  —  This MLB season, we're giving you, SportsNation, the opportunity to cast your vote of approval, or disapproval, of the job your favorite team's manager is doing.  Is he molding a winning team and inspiring championship-level play from his team?