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.

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.

MOOSE HAVING SOME ‘WILD’ THOUGHTS  —  BALTIMORE - Mike Mussina said yesterday what many within the Yankees' organization believe but won't admit: The wild-card door is the only one available to get into the playoffs.  —  “We have to win games and be there at the end.

Cano: My biggest hit of the year  —  Once the Red Sox beat Toronto today, the Yankees had to find a way today.  They did when Robinson Cano hammered a Jamie Walker fastball over the wall in the seventh inning.  —  It was part of a 4-for-5 day for Cano, who drove in two runs.

Interference call tough to swallow  —  Aybar's rundown collision with Pierzynski affects Rays' loss  —  CHICAGO — Sunday's Rays-White Sox contest saw a controversial call affect the outcome when A.J. Pierzynski got caught in a rundown in the 10th inning, but was ruled safe when interference …

What's Wrong With Clay Buchholz?  —  Clay Buchholz has been quite a disappointment this year.  After throwing a no-hitter last September, Buchholz has posted a miserable 6.75 ERA in 76 innings this season, leaving many people wondering what went wrong.  Upon closer examination …

Mota, Villanueva continue to contribute  —  Often idle relievers strive to be ready to go when needed  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers reliever Guillermo Mota notched a well-deserved win on Sunday.  One of his teammates thought Mota also deserved a save.  —  “Mota bailed me out,” fellow reliever Carlos Villanueva said.

Is CC Sabathia a prize Dodgers have their eye on?  —  Left-hander has California roots, and former Indians teammate Casey Blake thinks Dodgers would make sense for him.  But as the top free-agent pitcher he'll command a huge contract.  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Dodgers might be more likely …

Thanking Boss in a novel way  —  Bomber greats look on in shadow of Stadium as author/Yankee adviser Ray Negron tells his tale of ‘The Greatest Story Never Told: The Babe and Jackie.’  —  New York and all of baseball gave George Steinbrenner a heartfelt salute at the 79th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Barton has a key role for Cards  —  After five months, most of the Cardinals' players have established themselves in one form or another.  Stars or potential stars.  Role players.  Prospects.  Suspects.  —  But in the case of outfielder Brian Barton, who had to be kept on the roster …