Nationals-Padres Preview  —  The Washington Nationals have not won a series against the San Diego Padres in their last six attempts.  Livan Hernandez may finally be the player who helps them get over that hurdle.  —  The Nationals right-hander looks to continue his strong play against the Padres …

When it comes to coming through, Ortiz is the man  —  At this point, it might be time to stop oohing and ahhing when David Ortiz comes through in a close-and-late situation.  —  Instead, if he doesn't come through we should just scratch our heads and wonder if he's hurt or something.

Guerrero's 44-game streak ends  —  Angels outfielder doesn't get a hit but does walk four times  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Vladimir Guerrero's hitting streak against the Rangers is over.  His domination, however, lives on.  —  In Saturday's 10-3 loss to Los Angeles, the Rangers managed to find …

Dog bites hand that feeds him  —  Keeps barking at Bombers on Yankee network  —  On Tuesday, the day after he called Brian Cashman a liar and engaged in a contentious interview with him, WFAN's Chris (Mad Dog) Russo said everything was cool because the Yankees GM could take the heat.

Notes: What about Melhuse?  —  Backup backstop finding playing opportunities rare  —  SEATTLE — Adam Melhuse has the misfortune of playing behind the iron man of big-league catchers, and the A's second-half schedule isn't doing him any favors, either.  —  With every Thursday off through …

Indians suffer another late-inning defeat  —  Carmona's struggles continue as he blows third save in a row  —  DETROIT — Saturday night was far from the high-scoring contest that the Indians and Tigers played on July 25, but just as with that game and Friday's series-opener, Cleveland's outcome rested on its bullpen.

Lords of Flushing  —  Despite huge lead, Mets vow to not get complacent  —  Carlos Beltran won't lie to you.  He looks at the National League East standings sometimes and can hardly believe his eyes.  —  "After all those years of the Atlanta Braves being there, it's a great feeling to be in first place …

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.

Will Sox regret not making a major trade?  —  This question can't be answered fairly for several years.  If the Sox finish second for the ninth straight season and fail to make the playoffs, there certainly will be some local gnashing of teeth.  But we don't know precisely what deals were turned down …

Bannister out for consistency in rehab  —  Returning from hamstring injury, starter takes loss  —  BUFFAL0, N.Y. — Growing up the son of a professional baseball player, Brian Bannister knows full well that injuries are a part of the game.  —  But that doesn't make it any easier when it happens to you.

Let's make a deal, but which one?  —  ST. PETERSBURG - At the July 2005 trading deadline, the Devil Rays were involved in serious talks with the Mets and Red Sox about three-way deal in which they would have given up Danys Baez, Aubrey Huff and Julio Lugo and gotten back a handful of prospects.

PITCHER TELLS A STORY  —  Consider a baseball fable.  Once upon a time, there lived a boy named Matt Harrington, who could throw a baseball 95 mph.  Some baseball talent scouts pointed their radar guns at him and calculated that he threw 96 or 97 mph, and a couple registered his fastball at 98 mph.

YANKS MULL SIGN-AND-TRADE WITH SHEFFIELD  —  Once the Yanks obtained Bobby Abreu, the natural inclination was to assume they would not pick up Gary Sheffield's $13-million option for 2007.  But they are seriously contemplating doing just that.  Not for him to play first base or DH.  But to trade him.

Catcher Hoover embraces his upbringing  —  Having grown up the son of deaf parents, Marlins catcher Paul Hoover is sure he faced some unusual challenges as a child.  It's just that he can't seem to remember them.  —  ''I didn't know any different,'' said Hoover, who became the 21st rookie …