Nats deal Livan Hernandez to D-Backs for prospects  —  WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals ace Livan Hernandez was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday for a pair of minor league pitchers.  —  Hernandez, 31, is 9-8 this season with a career-high 5.34 ERA in 24 starts.

Detroit 9, Twins 3  —  DETROIT - The Comerica Park scoreboard didn't explain half of the Twins' horror after Monday night's 9-3 defeat to the Detroit Tigers.  —  Francisco Liriano, Minnesota's rookie All-Star, is out indefinitely with what appears to be a left elbow injury.

Beltrán No Longer Just a Shadow of Himself  —  The children sitting in a classroom at Harlem RBI headquarters yesterday afternoon knew the basics about their special guest, Carlos Beltrán.  They all professed to like the Mets more than the Yankees, and they said that center field was their favorite position.

Fans at Fenway Face Test of Faith  —  THE Boston Red Sox are a poor excuse for a good baseball team.  For the second year in a row, they have squandered an advantage they had over the Yankees, this year even more grievously than last.  Like last year, they will very likely pay for their profligacy.

Piazza emotional on eve of return to New York  —  SAN DIEGO — His eyes were filled with tears when he departed Shea Stadium, and 10 months later, Mike Piazza fears the same emotion could overwhelm him again tonight in his return.  —  The standing ovations, the curtain calls, the video tribute.

Jays keep Ortiz blue … TORONTO // Whether they really believe it or are just saying the right thing to not further damage the psyche of a veteran pitcher who has completely lost his way, the Orioles maintain that they have seen some progress in pitcher Russ Ortiz.

Notes: Cairo to head to disabled list  —  Pavano to make rehab start Thursday; Dotel could debut soon  —  BALTIMORE — The Yankees will place Miguel Cairo on the 15-day disabled list after he strained his left hamstring running out a ground ball Saturday night.

Hafner recognized for great week  —  Cleveland slugger shares AL honor with Boston's Ortiz  —  Travis Hafner was not to be upstaged.  —  The Bank of America American League Co-Player of the Week for games played July 31-Aug. 6 witnessed firsthand his chief competition's signature accomplishment — a game-winning three-run home run.

Reds acquire pitcher Ryan Franklin and cash from Phillies in exchange for player to be named later  —  CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds today acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ryan Franklin and cash in exchange for a player to be named later.  —  Franklin, 33, is expected to report …

Nomar's recovery being recognized  —  Garciaparra a nominee for Comeback Player of the Year  —  Nomar Garciaparra doesn't consider himself a comeback player.  To him, this season is just an extension of the last — another year he is grateful to be able to play.  —  But it's hard for anyone else to ignore his comeback.

For Maine and the Mets, the New Math Has Lots of Zeroes  —  Sunday was memorable for different reasons for David Wright, left, and José Reyes.  Wright signed a six-year, $55 million contract extension, and Reyes hit a grand slam.  —  John Maine chose to study mechanical engineering …