Playing backup to Ruben Tejada isn't sitting well with Luis Castillo; Josh Thole has busy night  —  Luis Castillo arrived for work at Citi Field Wednesday, looked at the starting lineup and didn't know what to think.  He did know that Jerry Manuel had spent the season rewarding good play with a start the next day.

Beltre's banter results in pair of ejections  —  Third baseman, Francona tossed by home-plate umpire  —  BOSTON — Trash talking between friends occurs often in sports, and in Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez's case, this time was no different.  —  Just one small problem: Home-plate umpire Dan Bellino didn't know it.

Pedroia probably done for the year  —  Nothing is official yet, but according to major league source Dustin Pedroia will likely shut it down for the remainder of the season.  Pedroia is expected to spend the next 10 days back in a boot to stabilize the left foot that got sore again after two games.

Pete Rose's advice for Roger Clemens  —  Rose was quixotic, arrogant and desperate in his denials.  Does that sound familiar?  —  Twenty-one years after his adamant denials began, six years after he finally conceded the charade was up, Pete Rose remains baseball's gold standard for obstinacy in the face of incriminating evidence.

Rangers mull Ramirez; not interested in Hawpe  —  The Rangers are mulling the possibility of talking to the Dodgers about outfielder Manny Ramirez.  —  Club officials said they are considering all possibilities to improve the team and the idea of adding Ramirez's big bat is tempting.

Oliver Perez wants to stay with Mets … NEW YORK — Even after being essentially ostracized by the New York Mets, pitcher Oliver Perez still wants to be with the team next season.  —  “I want to be back here,” Perez told ESPNNewYork.com.  “I want to have a championship because I know the fans want it and I want it, too.”

Dodgers complete three-game Miller Park sweep  —  The Sports Network  —  Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Scott Podsednik had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run and Casey Blake homered to lead Los Angeles to a 7-1 win over Milwaukee to complete a three-game sweep at Miller Park.

Rodriguez goes 7 strong, Astros sweep Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA—Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Houston Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years.  —  The two-time NL champion Phillies …

Hank Steinbrenner: New York Yankees will be defending World Series title  —  Hank Steinbrenner is already looking to the future.  —  Speaking Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the part-owner of the Yankees said he believes the Yankees will be defending their World Series championship come October.

Ricky Nolasco says he will start Saturday for the Florida Marlins  —  Ricky Nolasco got through his drills today pain-free and said he expects to start Saturday for the Marlins.  —  “I didn't expect it to get better so quickly,” he said.  “All I can say is I'll try to be smart about it.”

Revenue-sharing system gets exposed  —  Leaked financial documents show Pirates, Marlins made profit despite cries of poverty  —  Here at Rumblings, we keep forgetting to get our MBA degree.  And boy, is that aggravating — because an MBA sure would come in handy in weeks like this.  —  Why?