Lester tested for cancer  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club's most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back.

Sox tickets?  Suddenly, they're not so hot  —  As team slides, demand cools and deals abound  —  Just a few weeks ago, it was a nearly impossible ticket to get — the Red Sox at home.  Now, tickets to Sox games are not only available, they can be had for face value or less.

After Winning by a Mile, Mets Reach the Highest Ground  —  The achievement is only cosmetic.  It cannot give the Mets home-field advantage in the World Series or endow them with any special powers or privileges.  But it is sweet just the same.  —  A mile above sea level, the Mets are looking down on the other 29 teams in baseball.

Mound of troubles for Pavano  —  Carl Pavano was in New York yesterday, but he never set foot in Yankee Stadium, and never had to face his teammates.  And it may stay that way for a while.  —  Pavano yesterday was ordered back into Yankee oblivion — Tampa — after a complete medical procedure …

Tulowitzki gives glimpse of future … Troy Tulowitzki stood outside the Rockies' clubhouse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, searching for a cellphone signal.  Through his eyes, it was easy to see the excitement over what the 21-year-old called the greatest day of his life.

Cards' Bennett leaves with back sprain  —  Cleared to play, Molina takes over despite strained right elbow  —  ST. LOUIS — Bad news collided with good news for the Cardinals catchers on Wednesday night.  —  Yadier Molina was cleared to play on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a muscle strain in his right elbow.

Atlas Slugged … There have been several indications that this just isn't Alex Rodriguez's year.  One came on June 30, the day after he hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 and awoke to headlines that read "Okay, but Do It Again."

BoSox close in on Wells trade; Padres likely buyer … The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Triple-A catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres.

Snakes quieted in finale with Padres  —  Offense unable to get going for second straight night  —  PHOENIX — It was a different day but the story and the results, for that matter, were the same.  —  For the second straight game, the Arizona offense was nearly invisible as the Padres defeated …

Fibrillation wouldn't threaten career  —  The Red Sox released few details about David Ortiz's medical condition yesterday, but cardiologists said several clues, including the decision not to rush him to a hospital in Oakland where the team is playing, indicate he probably is not suffering …

Do-It-Yourself Game Post, Part Deux  —  This afternoon's ridiculous 10-9 loss to the Pirates probably has you feeling like that, doesn't it?  —  So YOU choose how you want this post to read.  —  This afternoon in Pittsburgh, took the field and against .  The final score was .

For the Books, Nationals Face History Questions  —  Records by Senators, Expos Are at Issue  —  Over the final month of the season, Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano will almost certainly hit at least two more home runs.  When he does, he'll establish a franchise record — most homers in a season.

Sox tag 'em, bag 'em  —  Iguchi's homer in 8th, baserunning blunder by Devil Rays in 9th rescue restless Sox  —  The White Sox survived seven innings of restlessness and frustration Wednesday night with an inning of urgency that provided relief.  —  Tadahito Iguchi's two-out, two-run …

Maddux's all-around effort lifts LA  —  Veteran tosses seven frames of two-run ball, drives in two runs  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are too busy trying to win a division to sit around and marvel at the greatness of Greg Maddux.  —  They'll leave that, for now, to the fans.

Liriano throws off mound, but Radke suffers setback  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano threw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since going on the disabled list Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his pitching arm.  —  The news was not all good for Minnesota, though.