Sources: Mariners nixed three-way Felix Hernandez trade sending Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Seattle  —  Lots of stuff has been leaking out in recent days about discussions between the Mariners and Boston Red Sox about a potential Felix Hernandez trade.

Waiver-wire trade bait, deadline winners and losers and more (cont.)  —  Around the majors  —  • The Phillies' deal for Lee more than anything is what killed the chances for a Halladay trade.  That was the best match for the Jays.  Once that happened, it now appears that the chances for a deal decreased dramatically.

Cubs win, lead Cards by percentage point in NL Central  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — If not for a rookie pitcher, the Chicago Cubs wouldn't be where they are today: First place by a percentage point.  —  Rookie right-hander Randy Wells (FSY) took a shutout into the eighth inning Monday night …

Houston Astros' Roy Oswalt still hurting, will miss next start  —  HOUSTON — Astros ace Roy Oswalt will skip his next scheduled start because he still felt pain in his lower back after a bullpen session Monday.  —  Forced to leave his previous outing because of an irritated disk …

Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds pitcher, has Tommy John surgery  —  CINCINNATI — Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez is expected to miss the rest of this season and the first half of next year, too, after having reconstructive elbow surgery Monday, another major setback for fading Cincinnati.

Thomas, Tigers beat O's with ninth-inning homer  —  DETROIT (AP) — For 15 minutes Monday, the Baltimore Orioles made Justin Verlander (FSY) look like one of baseball's worst pitchers.  —  It didn't last.  —  The Detroit ace allowed five runs before getting his second out …

Brewers hold off Dodgers rally for 6-5 win  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bases loaded.  Two outs in the ninth.  Baseball's career saves leader protecting a one-run lead against one of the best hitters of their generation.  —  The eager Dodger Stadium crowd all but expected Manny Ramirez to add to his Los Angeles lore.

A's score three in ninth to stun Rangers  —  OAKLAND (AP) — Rajai Davis has been the Oakland Athletics' top hitter since the All-Star break.  —  He came through for Oakland again with a pinch-hit two-run triple in the ninth inning to rally the A's past the Rangers 3-2 on Monday night.

Waiver-wire trade bait, deadline winners and losers and more notes … Several baseball executives are calling this the “softest deadline ever” because they anticipate many more players than ever going unclaimed on waivers and thus remaining eligible to be dealt.

I Went to Washington and All I Got Was This Lousy Shortstop  —  Despite weeks of rumor-filled newspaper reports and speculation-fueled blog entries about all sorts of potential deals, as usual the trade deadline came and went Friday afternoon without the Twins making a significant move.

Can't Beat the Good Teams?  No Sweat  —  A common criticism of the New York Yankees this year is that they play poorly against good teams.  After losing three of four games to the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees are 24-29 against teams that are currently .500 or better.

Billingsley doesn't cramp Dodgers' style in 9-1 romp  —  Something not-so-funny happened to Chad Billingsley's plant leg with one out in the fifth inning of tonight's game in Atlanta.  The Dodgers' righty, working on a two-hit shutout with no walks and seven strikeouts …