Wells may lose job as starter  —  Kip Wells' standing in the Cardinals rotation came into serious question Tuesday, and with it the viability of manager Tony La Russa's projected six-man rotation.  —  La Russa refused to give Wells a vote of confidence before Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates …

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 …

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.

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.

Under The Knife  —  Focusing on Focusing  —  I was reading Steven Poole's blog entry on writing process and abandoning Microsoft Word, when I realized that while everything he said was true—I too all but abandoned Word earlier this year—that the process he describes for his writing is about as opposite of mine as it could be.

Braves on long march of mediocrity  —  They were the National League's gold-standard team over a span of 15 seasons, but the Braves have seen that distinction erode these past two seasons.  —  They've had a run here and a surge there, but mostly it's been mediocrity for two seasons.

New Guillen deal may be in works  —  Struggling Sox maintain mastery over Detroit  —  DETROIT — An extension for a manager whose team has sunk from a 2005 World Series championship to last place in the American League Central seems absurd, but Ozzie Guillen's security could be fortified with a new contract.

Notes: League switches training sites  —  Reliever trades in surfing in Hawaii for weight room in Florida  —  BOSTON — Brandon League is leaving the waves behind.  In an effort to avoid repeating the misfortunes of this forgettable season, the Blue Jays reliever is planning a drastic change to his offseason routine.

Notes: Loe to miss his next start  —  Prospect White relief candidate; Otsuka reports elbow pain  —  ARLINGTON — Kameron Loe is going to miss one start because of a sore right elbow and is expected to be replaced by right-hander Jamey Wright when his spot comes up next week in Detroit.

Texas Rangers roster moves  —  Club adds three players to roster  —  ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels announced today the club has recalled OF Freddy Guzman and LHP A.J. Murray from Triple-A Oklahoma, purchased the contract of LHP Bill White from Double-A Frisco …

Peavy, Pettitte named August Pitchers of the Month  —  Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres has been named the National League Pitcher of the month for August, while Andy Pettitte has earned American League Pitcher of the Month honors, it was announced today.  —  Peavy, the National League's …

Pineiro, Cards draw closer in NL Central  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Joel Pineiro may have found himself a home in the St. Louis Cardinals rotation.  —  Pineiro, stuck in the Boston Red Sox bullpen before his trade to St. Louis on July 30, won for the fourth time in six starts as the St. Louis Cardinals beat …