Rubin: Lobbying for the truth  —  I want to get something straight.  —  Everything I wrote about Tony Bernazard - bombshell stories that appeared in the pages of the Daily News over the last week - is accurate.  —  My reporting was solid, met the journalistic standards of sourcing and beyond …

Latest trade talk on Washburn, Halladay, Lee, Martinez and others … Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller.

Phillies eyeing Duke and other rumors  —  PITTSBURGH _ Charlie Manuel likes Zach Duke enough that he put the Pirates left-hander on the National League squad for the All-Star Game in St. Louis earlier this month.  —  The Philadelphia Phillies manager also likes Duke enough …

Yankees, Reds Working on Arroyo Deal  —  The Yankees are in serious discussions with the Reds about acquiring Bronson Arroyo, although right now the deal may be hinging on how much of Arroyo's remaining contract the Reds are willing to eat, major league sources told FanHouse on Monday.

Nats' Win Is Worth 2 Grand  —  Willingham Hits A Pair of Slams: Nationals 14, Brewers 6  —  Before Monday — before a market correction on all his bad luck blasted a path into history — Josh Willingham was merely another middle-of-the-order outfielder who saved his best for the smallest moments.

WORLDS APART?  RED SOX AND MATSUZAKA STRUGGLE TO FIND MIDDLE GROUND … Though he is now in his third year in the United States, it is increasingly clear that Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Red Sox still are dealing with their differences as they approach the issue of how to keep the pitcher both healthy and effective.

Garko traded to Giants for Class A lefty  —  First baseman Ryan Garko has been traded from the Indians to the Giants for Class A left-hander Scott Barnes.  —  Garko had been in the Tribe's lineup at designated hitter but was yanked about an hour before the first pitch against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Soriano's 13th-inning slam sends Cubs past Astros  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Alfonso Soriano (FSY) redeemed himself for an earlier mental miscue by hitting a game-ending grand slam in the 13th inning to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Houston Astros 5-1 on Monday night.

Carpenter wraps up undefeated month as Cards tame Dodgers  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Carpenter (FSY) wrapped up an undefeated month, Brendan Ryan (FSY) matched a career high with four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 on Monday night.

Red Sox 8, Athletics 3  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett became the American League's first 12-game winner and the Boston Red Sox snapped out of a slump with 14 hits in an 8-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.  —  Beckett (12-4) struck out 10 before leaving after Scott Hairston's leadoff triple …

Giants 4, Pirates 2  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum looked like his old self, pitching a four-hitter and bouncing back from a rough outing with a career-high 15 strikeouts in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Tim Hudson moves closer to return to Atlanta Braves after surgery  —  LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Bobby Cox shrugged last week when asked how he would find room for Tim Hudson on the Atlanta Braves pitching staff.  —  “Those things always work out,” Cox said.  —  Hudson was the ace of the Braves' staff …

Tazawa gets a promotion  —  The Sea Dogs leave on a road trip after learning their top starting pitcher is headed to Triple-A.  —  PORTLAND — The Sea Dogs knew they were not going to hold on to pitcher Junichi Tazawa much longer.  —  Word finally arrived Sunday.  Tazawa, 23, has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.