Nats wish they can play Mets every day  —  Belliard's blast in the fifth inning proves to be the big blow  —  WASHINGTON — Warning: Don't ever call the Nationals spoilers in front of manager Manny Acta, even though his team is playing the Mets and Phillies in the final 11 games of the season.

Guillen: I'm still a shortstop  —  CLEVELAND — It's no secret that when the Tigers signed Carlos Guillen to a four-year contract extension in the spring for nearly $48 million, it was with the thought he eventually might switch from shortstop to first base.  —  Guillen knows that.

Contributions From Beyond the Field  —  Thanks for all the feedback on my ESPN article about Dr. James Andrews, which was actually written about six months ago.  Writing alongside John Helyar is a big thrill, since Lords of the Realm is a favorite of mine, and yes, we'll have John on BPR for a new edition of BP Conversations very soon.

Notes: Andruw not making excuses  —  Braves center fielder enduring tough season at the plate  —  ATLANTA — While Andruw Jones continues to contend the career-low offensive numbers he's produced this season aren't a product of him stressing about his future in Atlanta …

Another one slips away from Gagné, Sox  —  TORONTO - Terry Francona felt he had to find out last night whether he could trust Eric Gagné in October.  How much that costs him in September remains to be seen.  —  For the first time in almost a month, Francona called upon Gagné to protect a lead.

Zambrano, Cubs fall to nemesis  —  Big Z bested by Reds' Harang; Chicago, Milwaukee tied at top  —  CHICAGO — It's now a virtual tie in the National League Central, but Aaron Harang definitely has the edge over Carlos Zambrano.  —  Harang beat Zambrano in their fourth meeting this season …

Padilla's actions are leaving a mark  —  Vicente Padilla will make what will in all likelihood be his final start of the season today at Minnesota.  —  The question the Rangers will have to tackle over the winter is whether it should be his last with Texas, too.

Doug Mientkiewicz's defense is first priority  —  Was it only three weeks ago that the Yankees lost a game by 16 runs, which can happen if you forget to score any runs of your own.  A few days earlier, same road trip, they watched the team in the other dugout put 18 runs on the scoreboard.

Report: Yanks will be on road to finish 2008 season  —  The House That Ruth Built will close at the end of the 2008 season, but the schedule that MLB built doesn't seem to realize that.  —  Next season will serve as a six-month homage to Yankee Stadium, as baseball's cathedral will celebrate its 86th and final year.

Barone, not Willis, to take on Braves  —  Florida (65-86) at Atlanta (78-73), Wednesday, 7:35 p.m. ET  —  Riding a three-game losing streak, the Marlins have shaken things up in the series finale with the Braves.  —  After Tuesday's 4-3 setback at Turner Field, manager Fredi Gonzalez announced …

Pitch Identification Tutorial  —  To celebrate this back-to-school time of year, I'd like to conduct a tutorial of sorts.  What I want to cover is how to identify the pitches of any pitcher's repertoire, given the fabulous pitch-f/x data that several others and I have been working with this season.

Indians Sweep  —  The Cleveland Indians defeat the Tigers 4-2 and drop their magic number to three.  The race in the Central is essentially over, and the Indians put an exclamation mark on the season by sweeping the one rival left in the division.  Cleveland is 25-8 since they lost to Detroit on 8/14.

Astros give Cubs rotation explanation  —  Before the Cubs had a chance to raise their eyebrows over Houston's watered-down rotation this week against division contender Milwaukee, Astros president Tal Smith contacted the Cubs on Monday to explain.  —  ''Tal did it the right way,'' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

Brass should shut its mouth  —  It's punks growling from the carpool lane, grandmothers crooning from their couches, weary men banging on steering wheels and giggling teens cheering through blankets.  —  It's Grady Little stinks, and Russell Martin rules, and, hey, if Frank McCourt's listening …

Pirates GM Search: Zduriencik surfaces as likely candidate  —  The Pirates, who already might have conducted at least two interviews for their vacant general manager position, might be about to add a third interview to their list.  —  Milwaukee Brewer general manager Doug Melvin yesterday told MLB.com that …