Decision to send Beltre home backfires on Mariners  —  There have been better decisions third base coach Carlos Garcia has made this season than sending Adrian Beltre for the plate with none out in the fifth inning Tuesday against New York in Yankee Stadium.

Buchholz to Claypen  —  Terry Francona has just announced that Clay Buchholz will primarily be used out of the Red Sox' bullpen from here on out to make sure that his workload doesn't get too great of an increase from last year.  —  Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter in his second major-league …

Lo Duca's 7 RBIs power Mets over Reds  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul Lo Duca's timing was perfect.  —  Lo Duca hit a pair of three-run homers and drove in a career-high seven runs Tuesday night, powering the New York Mets to their fifth straight victory, 11-7 over the Cincinnati Reds.

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.

Nationals trade King to Brewers  —  Washington to receive player to be named in trade  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals traded left-handed reliever Ray King to the Brewers on Tuesday for a player to be named.  —  King, who was a valuable situational lefty out of the bullpen, went 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 55 games this season.

Padres add Tomko ahead of stretch drive  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Padres, attempting to fortify their pitching staff for the September stretch drive, have signed right-hander Brett Tomko to serve as a long reliever and possible spot starter.  —  Tomko, 34, was designated for assignment …

Zambrano emotional after latest setback  —  Fiery righty allows eight runs in 4 1/3, sounds off postgame  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano ignored a stop sign, but couldn't shrug off the booing.  —  Zambrano remained winless in his last six starts as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cubs, 11-3, on Monday.

Duncan's 3-run double gets Cards by Bucs  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Duncan hit a three-run double to back Joel Pineiro and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Tuesday night.  —  The Cardinals moved back over .500 with the win.  They started the day two games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.

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.

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) …

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.

Tom Verducci: Will Boston throw caution to the wind with Buchholz?  —  The evolution of pitching — or devolution, depending on your point of view and, likely, your age — took a place in the spotlight last Saturday night as Clay Buchholz became not only a folk hero in Boston but also a premier example …