Robinson questions one pitch in loss  —  Manager criticizes Rauch, Schneider for Mets' go-ahead homer  —  WASHINGTON — The tension was heavy in the home clubhouse after the Nationals lost to the Mets, 3-1, in front of 37,732 at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Notes: Nixon swings in cage  —  Ortiz rests with series vs. Tigers and Yankees on horizon  —  BOSTON — Wily Mo Pena is becoming a fan favorite in Red Sox Nation, keeping the seat holders at Fenway on their toes by rocketing balls into the stands with cartoonish-like power and helping the Red Sox in their playoff push.

Movin' on up  —  South Siders make up 4½ games in 6 days  —  Now it really gets interesting.  —  It's the Tigers' turn to check their psyches, feel the breath of the charging champions on their neck and sweat the small stuff after their hope of a runaway season was shattered by a White Sox sweep.

Criticism Doesn't Worry A-Rod  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez hit another undramatic, ninth-inning home run, a two-out solo job that pulled the Yankees within three runs of the Los Angeles Angels.  —  Told some would probably say it was a meaningless home run, Rodriguez had some fun.

Third baseman a new man since return from Omaha  —  Being sent to minors was a major setback in his career, but Teahen has come back swinging and is enjoying success with the Royals.  —  Mark Teahen broke out of another slump last week, and, be honest, did you even know he was in a slump?

Slump stumps Posada  —  It has been more than a week since Jorge Posada got a hit and the Yankee catcher is beginning to show the frustration.  It was on display as he popped up to end yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Angels at the Stadium, as he flung his bat and fired his helmet to the ground.

Bat shards nearly injure Olivo  —  PHOENIX — Arizona center fielder Eric Byrnes has a penchant for slamming his bat on the ground in frustration when he makes an out.  —  On Sunday, Byrnes' antics almost caused a serious injury to Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who was struck in the face …

Heaven and Hell  —  In the dugout before Sunday's game, Kim Jones, the beat reporter for the YES network, asked Yankee manager Joe Torre if Jared Weaver made him of think of Weaver's older brother and former-Yankee, Jeff Weaver.  "It's hard not to," said Torre.  "He's got the same look, the same willowy body.

Dave Duncan: Change is on the way  —  PITTSBURGH — Jason Marquis presumably kept his oar in the water Sunday to remain in the Cardinals' rotation, even when lefthander Mark Mulder returns from his shoulder problems, by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to three hits — two of them second-inning home runs …

Callers to police described Myers assault as vicious  —  Witnesses to Phillies pitcher Brett Myers' alleged beating of his wife on a busy Boston street described a vicious pummeling meted out by an athlete who dwarfed his spouse, according to a transcript of 911 calls obtained by the Inquirer.

Baker downplays not utilizing Theriot  —  DENVER — At 26, Ryan Theriot already may be at a career crossroads.  —  Theriot's future with the Cubs is uncertain because Ronny Cedeno probably will be the starting second baseman for the next few years.  —  But the Cubs have kept Theriot …

EVERYBODY PANIC!!!  - Message board edition  —  Over at Mack Avenue Tigers, Kurt had a very levelheaded post about the Tigers current slump.  The slump that all teams have, but the Motor City Kitties managed to avoid...till this week. … Unfortunately, that isn't what most fans are currently thinking.

Leyland cites tipping point  —  Earlier this season, the Cardinals accused the White Sox of stealing pitch-selection signs from center field.  Now the Tigers are claiming the Sox knew what was coming from rookie Justin Verlander in Friday night's game by picking up tip-offs on his pitches.

Full Play-by-Play Chicago vs. Detroit  —  GameCenter  · Full Play-by-Play  · Box Score  · Recap  · Game Chart  · Photos  —  TIGERS 1ST  —  Jose A. Contreras pitching:  —  Ball, Strike looking, Strike looking, Granderson popped out to shortstop.

Notes: Ramirez optioned to Triple-A  —  Righty struggling of late; lefty Shackleford takes his spot  —  PHILADELPHIA — Elizardo Ramirez had one of the best games of his young career on July 27 in Houston, striking out eight and allowing just one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Padres-Astros Preview  —  Houston Astros starter Brandon Backe has lost some velocity on his fastball, but he's finding other ways to get batters out.  —  The right-hander looks to build off a pair of impressive outings when the Astros (57-59) wrap up their three-game series with the San Diego Padres …

Trip to DL all but ends Prior's season  —  Shoulder tendinitis lands Cubs pitcher back on disabled list  —  DENVER — Mark Prior was placed on the disabled list Saturday with tendinitis in the right rotator cuff, a move that likely will force the Cubs right-hander to miss the rest of the season.