Francona: Varitek behind plate tonight  —  Jason Varitek will start at catcher tonight for the Red Sox with Josh Beckett on the mound, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said during his weekly conversation with the hosts of WEEI's “The Dale and Holley Show.”  —  Victor Martinez …

Senate hopeful of the day: Curt Schilling  —  Add another name to the growing list of pols and would-be pols eyeing a run for Edward M. Kennedy's Senate seat: former Red Sox ace Curt Schilling.  —  That's right, Mr. Bloody Sock himself told NECN's Brad Puffer in an interview today that he has been …

Giants bring up top prospect Posey  —  Fifth overall pick in '08 Draft added for catching depth  —  PHILADELPHIA — Buster Posey's speedy ascent to the Major Leagues reflects the Giants' concern about their injury-afflicted catching corps, manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday.

Joe Nathan blows it for Twins in 4-2 loss to White Sox  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Nathan gave up back-to-back home runs to Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox got to Minnesota's four-time All-Star closer to win 4-2 on Wednesday.

Post Game: Rockies 5 Mets 2  —  The Mets lost to the Rockies by the score of 5-2 in Coors Field tonight.  —  For a recap and boxscore, click here.  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  Tim Redding had another good outing.  He once again started shakily, allowing a solo home run …

Kazmir gets into — and out of — a first-inning jam for Angels  —  It was an eventful first inning for new Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for three minor leaguers last Friday.  —  The Seattle Mariners loaded the bases with no outs when Ichiro Suzuki reached …

Ned Colletti wants to return to the Dodgers  —  The general manager, a day after acquiring Jim Thome and Jon Garland, says he'd love to be back next season.  —  Ned Colletti's contract as Dodgers' general manager includes a mutual option for 2010.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)  —  On The Dodgers

Sternberg talks attendance, Kazmir  —  Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg addressed the media this afternoon, touching on the hot topics of the moment—primarily attendance and the team dealing away Scott Kazmir last week.  —  Sternberg didn't seem too interested in latching onto …

Teams interested in Braves pitching surplus  —  The Rockies and D-backs both sent scouts to watch Tim Hudson make his return last night.  Like Hudson, these clubs are wondering whether the Braves will bring the veteran right-hander back to Atlanta next year.

Old is the New New?  —  Tyler Kepner tossed out that Betances had a procedure similar to Mariano Rivera today, but with that aside, he outed something that I had never heard before.  Mark Newman of the Yankees told the press that Betances' procedure was an “overlay TJ,” …

Lilly shines for Cubs, blanks Astros 2-0  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Ted Lilly (FSY) pitched eight shutout innings to reach the 10-win mark for the seventh consecutive season and Derrek Lee (FSY) hit a two-run homer Wednesday, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 2-0 victory over Aaron Boone (FSY) and the Houston Astros.

Bad blood bubbling in Baltimore  —  When A.J. Burnett allowed a home run by light-hitting Felix Pie in the first inning yesterday, he turned around and shouted some unkind words in the direction of the Baltimore outfielder.  —  The words weren't necessarily at Pie, they were more an expression of frustration.

Update on Mariano Rivera  —  He first felt “tightness” in his left groin on Aug. 15 in Seattle.  It went away and came back on Tuesday night.  —  Were this the playoffs, Rivera said, he would be pitching.  But the Yankees have the luxury of a large lead, expanded roster and Phil Hughes.