ROCKET MISFIRE HASM'S WITHIN 1  —  CLEMENS HURTS ELBOW IN A LIFELESS LOSS TO SEATTLE  —  After sliding in and out of the Carl Pavano Memorial MRI tube late yesterday, Roger Clemens attended Alex Rodriguez's Labor Day bash at Rodriguez's rented Rye mansion on the water he has an eye on buying if he remains a Yankee.

Lou gets wardrobe warning  —  Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona isn't the only one being monitored by Major League Baseball's clothing cops.  —  Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he received a letter last week warning he faces a $1,000 fine should he fail to wear the Cubs' game jersey during games.

Returns are in: Average performance from Pedro  —  CINCINNATI — Pedro Martinez admitted the quality of his pitches was not anywhere near his best.  Nor were the Reds overly impressed from what they saw from the right-hander.  —  Martinez allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) …

Pedro records 3,000th strikeout  —  Mets right-hander sets down Harang to join exclusive club  —  CINCINNATI — The baseball moved untouched past the bat of Aaron Harang and popped into the catcher's mitt of Paul Lo Duca for the third strike of the third out of the second inning.

For What You Are About to Receive  —  It's been an unfortunate part of writing for BP that I've written a number of words about the passing of friends.  Today, I've got another obituary to write, but this one's not in the least bit painful.  —  Baseball analysis is dead.

A-Rod, Ordonez, Utley and Wright pushing to be MVPs … September isn't just a month when pennants are won.  It's also a month when MVP trophies are won.  —  So let's take a look at the most prominent MVP candidates in each league — and where they stand with four weeks left in a sensational season.

Peavy wants it now  —  PHOENIX - Thirty minutes after Greg Maddux won for the first time in 11 career starts here, after the San Diego Padres moved into the National League West lead by themselves for the first time in two months, after they'd put a 10-2 beating on the Arizona Diamondbacks …

Ramirez's shoulder may need surgery  —  WASHINGTON — Shortstop Hanley Ramirez gave the Marlins a scare Monday when he grabbed his shoulder and fell down in pain after swinging at and missing a high fast ball..  —  Ramirez stayed in the game and doubled twice, but he said he is considering having surgery …

Pirates Notebook: Bullington caps long road back  —  ST. LOUIS — Bryan Bullington already had lost enough time.  —  He and his family were in Louisville, Ky., yesterday afternoon when he received the word he has been awaiting for two years: He was being called up by the Pirates …

Big Apple sweep  —  A-Rod, Wright emerge as leading MVP candidates  —  Also in this column:  —  For the first time in 52 years and only the third time in baseball history, both league MVPs may play the same position in the same city.  —  Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a hammerlock on his third American League MVP award.

Nats' Bullpen Comes To Rescue Once Again  —  Yesterday afternoon, long after Jason Bergmann worked seven impressive innings and Wily Mo Pe?a homered, Brian Schneider watched the final out fall into the glove of right fielder Austin Kearns and walked directly toward the mound.  Chad Cordero strode toward Schneider.

Detwiler, others on fast track to DC  —  Lefty will be third Nats pick to make MLB debut in draft year  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are expected to purchase the contracts of pitchers Ross Detwiler, Jonathan Albaladejo and Arnie Munoz, and outfielders Justin Maxwell and Ryan Langerhans on Tuesday.

First impressions: Buchholz vs. Kennedy  —  Clay Buchholz has made two major league starts.  In case you haven't heard, one was pretty good.  Ian Kennedy has made one major league start.  In a Draft Review I wrote last year, I said this about Kennedy:

Hunter reportedly turned down $45 million  —  Before Torii Hunter announced that he would wait until season's end to negotiate a new contract, he had discussions with the Twins that quickly hit a roadblock.  —  Before Torii Hunter announced that he would wait until season's end to negotiate a new contract …