Mets prospect Rafael Montero roughed up in blowout loss to Nationals  —  Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond, Anthony Rendon and Michael Taylor homered for the Nationals.  Montero gave up three of those home runs.  —  Ninety wins?  That has not looked like a possibility in Flushing for months now.

Stranding tall: Reds' starters are masters of escape  —  Experience, confidence, defense all factors in rotation's success this season  —  CINCINNATI — With injuries to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, the Reds wouldn't be where they are — five games back in the National League Central …

Cosart directed not to swing throughout start  —  After hurting back during at-bat in first NL outing, Marlins take no chances with pitcher  —  MIAMI — No signs from third-base coach Brett Butler were needed when Jarred Cosart stepped into the batter's box on Tuesday night.

Pirates Claim Ramon Cabrera  —  The Pirates have claimed catcher Ramon Cabrera off waivers from the Tigers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports on Twitter.  Cabrera was placed on waivers after being designated for assignment to create 40-man space for the promotion of spot starter Buck Farmer, Beck adds.

Jayson Werth apparently has speeding problems  —  In addition to a sore shoulder that has been bothering him for the past few weeks and led to another scratch from the Nats lineup on Tuesday (he left the clubhouse at Citi Field in street clothes), it seems Jayson Werth also has speeding problems.

Color of money won't determine Jon Lester's future  —  Offers will roll in, but ace's door still open to Red Sox return  —  Photo by:  —  Jon Lester delivers a pitch during his victory over the Kansas City Royals last night.  The former Red Sox ace has not closed the door on a return to Boston in the offseason.

How Burke Badenhop uses Pitch F/X data  —  tbritton@providencejournal.com  —  CINCINNATI — After he finishes pitching, one of the first things Burke Badenhop does is fire up BrooksBaseball.net — a website dedicated to tracking pitcher performance.  —  Badenhop first learned of the site …

David Wright's power numbers have taken a major dip  —  Slumps happen, even to the most accomplished of players, and Mets captain David Wright insists that this one feels no different from others.  —  Physically, despite a balky left shoulder that required a cortisone shot, he repeatedly has said he's well enough to produce.

Pineda returns as Yankees wrap short set with Orioles on TSN  —  The Sports Network  —  The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees will conclude a rain-shortened series at Camden Yards Wednesday night.  —  Catch the action live on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt.  —  Tuesday's middle test …

Scapegoating the Shift for the Decline in Offense  —  Defensive shifts such as this are commonplace now (via GabboT).  —  As defensive shifts have become more pervasive in baseball, so has the mystique surrounding their supposed effect.  —  Early this year, Jonah Keri identified defensive shifts …

Nolasco penciled in to rejoin rotation Friday  —  Veteran right-hander has been out since early July with sore elbow  —  HOUSTON — Ricky Nolasco is the probable starter Friday night for the Twins, manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday.  Minnesota opens a four-game series that night against the Royals …

Seattle Uses 2 Homers, Knock Off Blue Jays 6-3  —  SEATTLE — Kyle Seager and Kendrys Morales hit solo home runs, Dustin Ackley added a key two-out two-run single, and the Seattle Mariners moved into a tie for the second wild card spot in the American League with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.