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.

Astros acquire Wolf from Padres  —  Houston sends Minor League pitcher for veteran left-hander  —  CINCINNATI — The Padres found a willing trade partner for left-handed pitcher Randy Wolf on Tuesday, sending the veteran to the Astros for Minor League right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke.

Lester dominates; Ramirez lectured by traffic cop  —  The Boston fans in the crowd here, and there were thousands of them at Safeco Field tonight, erupt as Jonathan Papelbon and company jog back to the dugout after ending a wild eighth inning.  Seattle loaded the bases with one out off Jon Lester …

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.

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 …

Who's next after Rauch, Wolf?  —  Baseball's trade market Tuesday turned away from the splashy and toward the routine - and borderline irrelevant, in the case of the Houston Astros - and that landscape is beginning to resemble what many general managers believe will be a measured conclusion to the non-waiver trading season.

Mariners await results of MRI on Bedard  —  It may be a while yet before Erik Bedard pitches again for Seattle.  —  Bedard was sent for an MRI of his left shoulder Tuesday afternoon.  The Mariners are concerned because as of Monday, Bedard was still feeling too much tenderness to resume throwing.

Cards put Duncan on DL; Mather recalled  —  The nagging pain in the neck outfielder Chris Duncan has been playing with and through for several games became too much to tolerate late Monday night.  —  The Cardinals placed Duncan on the 15-day disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck Tuesday …

Awards Are Important  —  I go to New York for five days and Murray Chass starts a blog?  What the hell is going on here?  —  Let's cleanse our collective palate with a lime sorbet known as: Phil Rogers's Mid-Season Awards.  —  Quick review: awards are meaningless, the criteria are absurd, this is all bunk.

Baker's focus on defensive skills wins teammates' trust  —  MIAMI GARDENS - John Baker didn't have to break into any offices and skim through his personnel file to find out why his professional career had stalled.  —  His offense wasn't the reason Baker totaled 1,151 Triple-A at-bats …