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.

Center of intrigue  —  Who is the team to beat in baseball's best race?  —  There are pennant races, and then there are pennant races.  —  The National League wild-card derby is an example of a close race that is existentially meaningless, like the debate over Pluto's loss of planetary status …

Notes: Girardi returns to Marlins  —  Hurricane's reduced threat allows manager to fly to St. Louis  —  ST. LOUIS — A night of watching on TV made Joe Girardi more anxious to rejoin his surging ballclub.  —  On Wednesday, Girardi got his chance, as the Marlins first-year manager rejoined his team in St. Louis.

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.

Schilling reaches 3,000 career strikeouts  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — With a handful of ailing teammates back home in Boston and one in the hospital, Curt Schilling had a tough time celebrating his latest pitching feat.  —  The Boston ace became the 14th pitcher in major-league history …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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."

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 …