Controversy over wife's attire suits Alex to a 'T'  —  You know it's fast becoming a lost season when, on a night Roger Clemens was making his fourth (and ultimately successful) try for win No. 350, against one of the many teams ahead of the Yankees in the wild card chase …

PEREZ IS PUT ON DL  —  The Mets' rotation is 40 percent weaker.  Oliver Perez has joining Jorge Sosa on the disabled list.  —  The left-hander, who is having a terrific season, has been bothered by a stiff back.  Not only did Perez miss his scheduled start on Sunday but he was scratched from tonight's tentative rescheduling as well.

METS GET GOOD REPORT ON ALOU  —  Moises Alou received positive news yesterday, as he was examined and is slated to head to St. Lucie next week for rehab.  —  Alou has been out since May 13 with a strained left quad, and assistant GM John Ricco said yesterday that the left fielder is "improving."

Torres files grievance, asks for trade  —  Reliever says Pirates 'tricked' him into agreeing to lower salary last year  —  Reliever Salomon Torres, angry with the Pirates about what he feels was a broken promise in negotiating his most recent contract, has filed a grievance against the team …

Rocky third is all she wrote for Glavine  —  Veteran unable to pick up win No. 298 as Mets fall to Rockies  —  DENVER — It had all the makings of a homecoming for Tom Glavine.  Though he's hardly Colorado's favorite son, Glavine had developed a reputation for taming the beast that is Coors Field …

Burnett's days with Toronto may be numbered  —  Pitcher will have to rebuild arm strength before returning to rotation and could be trade bait  —  OAKLAND — The next time A.J. Burnett pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays will be around the trade deadline, and don't be surprised if that's a start of some significance.

Helyar: Steinbrenner succession a family matter … Born on the Fourth of July in 1930, George Steinbrenner turns 77 on Wednesday.  His family — wife Joan, four children and 13 grandchildren — will gather at his home in Tampa, Fla., to fete the patriarch and feast on cake.

Future Stud or Future Dud?  —  Four exciting, young outfielders broke out into the prospect spotlight in 2006: Fernando Martinez, Jose Tabata, Carlos Gonzalez and Andrew McCutchen.  The 2007 season has been another matter entirely, though.  Each member of that foursome has disappointed …

Notes: Duchscherer done for 2007  —  A's happy to be home, welcome back Thomas to Oakland  —  OAKLAND — All year long the A's have had to worry about injuries and when key players might be coming back.  —  Unfortunately for them, there is one fewer person that they will have to keep track of this season.

Pirates Notebook: Duke seeks second opinion on elbow  —  Zach Duke is not ready to breathe easily just yet, it seems.  —  His ailing left elbow has no ligament tears and will not require surgery, according to tests taken yesterday afternoon at Allegheny General Hospital under the supervision of the Pirates' medical staff.

Burgess Signs With Nationals  —  BRANDON - In the end, Michael Burgess' decision to turn pro or attend Arizona State on a baseball scholarship came down to one thing.  —  "Really, this may be my only chance [to play professional baseball]," Burgess said.  —  It was a chance he wasn't willing to pass on.

As luck would have it, Luis Gonzalez is the prize  —  His mind elsewhere with an impressive start in trying to win the big pick-six pot at Hollywood Park, the columnist chooses to spend time with the luckiest Dodger.  —  There's $10,870,852 up for grabs in the pick six at Hollywood Park on Monday …

Nats See What They're Missing  —  Alfonso Soriano brings energy, excitement and optimism in his wake — all the things the Nats' pathetic offense lacks without him.  Last night, the smiling, slugging Soriano returned to RFK Stadium like a bad conscience, a lost opportunity or an old flame.

Young aces get jump on Final Vote  —  Bonderman, Young on top in first full day of balloting  —  Jeremy Bonderman of the Tigers and Chris Young of the Padres were holding the narrow early lead in the Monster All-Star Final Vote as of 5 p.m. ET on Monday, as fans were back in balloting force …

Allison putting troubles behind  —  Pitcher wants to resume career  —  SAN DIEGO Former Marlins first-round draft pick Jeff Allison is at the team's minor league complex at Jupiter and is poised for a return to professional baseball.  —  Allison, a right-hander out of Peabody, Mass. …