D-backs get relief in Rauch from Nats  —  Washington receives infielder Bonifacio in return  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs weary bullpen is about to get some help.  —  Arizona acquired right-hander Jon Rauch from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

Wolf trade shows reality has yet to sink in for Astros  —  If Drayton McLane keeps watching his Astros, he may finally see them for what they actually are instead of what he'd like them to be.  —  He's stubborn, not stupid.  He'll eventually understand that his franchise is broken.

Can the ace go a little longer?  —  Johan Santana pitched fine.  That wasn't the problem.  The rub was yet another game that left you somehow wanting more.  The problem was with his closer, Billy Wagner, out of the game with shoulder spasms, with the surging Mets playing arch nemesis Philadelphia …

Mill Grinding  —  We'll open up The Mill later this week, but the grind is already starting in the week-plus leading into the non-waiver trade deadline.  Let's keep that part of the equation in play, since many teams are already talking about which guys might clear waivers and be available in August.

Yanks, Mariners talk Washburn deal … The Yankees and Mariners have begun trade discussions that could land lefthanded pitcher Jarrod Washburn in the Bronx, if the finances can be worked out.  —  There is hope for a deal.  But the talks could still be derailed by attempts to include some other big contracts in any potential trade.

Cards fall to Brewers  —  BREWERS 4, CARDINALS 3  • Up next: 7:15 tonight vs. Brewers, FSN Midwest  —  Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse pitched deep and dominantly into the night but didn't get the offensive support his manager has demanded nor the helping hand from a bullpen under siege.

Is Sabathia California dreamin'? … CC Sabathia, who hails from Northern California and currently lives there, is building a home in Southern California.  So it's obvious his heart is on the West Coast.  —  But will the rest of him follow as a free agent this winter?  —  Quite possibly.

Juan Pierre could return to Dodgers this week  —  The outfielder, who sprained a ligament in his left knee four weeks ago, is set to begin a rehabilitation assignment in Las Vegas.  —  DENVER — Less than four weeks removed from suffering a sprained ligament in his left knee …

Angels throw out a lot of pitchers to beat Indians, 3-2  —  Angels starter Jered Weaver is pulled after three innings because of back problem, but the bullpen tag team of Darren Oliver, Jose Arredondo, Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez blanks Cleveland.  —  It wasn't so much a relief effort as it was a rescue mission.

Yankees to celebrate 62nd—and largest—Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium with 15 first-time attendees  —  The New York Yankees announced today that 15 first-time Old-Timers will attend the 62nd annual Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 2.  This season marks the final …

Guzman agrees to two-year extension  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman has decided to forgo free agency and agreed to terms on a two-year $16 million contract extension.  Guzman will make $8 million in 2009 and ‘10.  —  Guzman has been the Nationals’ best player this season.