Marlins Notebook: Struggling Uggla benched  —  PHOENIX — Second baseman Dan Uggla was blunt Sunday when asked how he prepares on days he's not in starting lineup.  —  “When you get benched?  Nothing,” he said.  “You just sit down, wear it.  Who knows?  At this point now, they're not days off.

Mets pen falters in 6-4 loss to Astros  —  The finish line, at least for the regular season, is Sept. 28.  That's less than five weeks away.  But at this rate, with the Mets already pushing to the point of exhaustion, the needle could be on empty before the division race is officially decided.

Look Ahead: K-Rod's talent in question as free agency looms  —  “He has one of those balls that just explodes on the hitter,” the AL coach said.  “It's right on you before you know it.”  —  The other stories to watch this week:  —  A chapter (likely) closes in the rivalry: Yes, it's true …

Despite flaws, don't count Yankees out  —  It's so tempting to declare the Yankees' playoff hopes a lost cause because they've offered us no tangible reason to believe otherwise.  —  Their injury-plagued pitching staff is too thin.  Their lineup of former All-Stars and future Hall …

Might Sabathia be a Giant? … Vallejo, Calif. native CC Sabathia's first choice is to go home to play for the Giants, one executive who knows him well told SI.com.  —  It doesn't hurt that the Giants play in the National League, which Sabathia, 28, has grown to love while authoring …

Cantu addresses young Mexicans  —  PHOENIX - The Mexican Little Leaguers were a victory shy of bringing home the title, but countryman Jorge Cantu is no less proud of them.  —  Cantu spoke to the team before Sunday's 12-3 loss to Hawaii in the championship game.

Mota has turned season around  —  I have to give reliever Guillermo Mota credit.  He has turned around his season with the Brewers.  —  In June and July, when no lead seemed safe with Mota on the mound, I admit no one was tougher on him than I was.  I even mentioned that he might get released …

Naturals nudge Drillers for win  —  Northwest Arkansas took advantage of a couple of mistake pitches by Chaz Roe to strike early and hold on for a 3-1 victory over Tulsa on Sunday at Drillers Stadium.  —  Marc Maddox put the Naturals up 1-0 with a solo home run in the first, his fourth of the season.

3 UP: Met Pen, Yankee Pen and I-Rod  —  1. There are many categories you want your players to be among the league leaders.  This is not one of them.  The Mets have four relievers in the top nine in the NL in appearances: Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman (68 games) are tied for third …