Playing backup to Ruben Tejada isn't sitting well with Luis Castillo; Josh Thole has busy night  —  Luis Castillo arrived for work at Citi Field Wednesday, looked at the starting lineup and didn't know what to think.  He did know that Jerry Manuel had spent the season rewarding good play with a start the next day.

Pedroia probably done for the year  —  Nothing is official yet, but according to major league source Dustin Pedroia will likely shut it down for the remainder of the season.  Pedroia is expected to spend the next 10 days back in a boot to stabilize the left foot that got sore again after two games.

Beltre's banter results in pair of ejections  —  Third baseman, Francona tossed by home-plate umpire  —  BOSTON — Trash talking between friends occurs often in sports, and in Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez's case, this time was no different.  —  Just one small problem: Home-plate umpire Dan Bellino didn't know it.

Pete Rose's advice for Roger Clemens  —  Rose was quixotic, arrogant and desperate in his denials.  Does that sound familiar?  —  Twenty-one years after his adamant denials began, six years after he finally conceded the charade was up, Pete Rose remains baseball's gold standard for obstinacy in the face of incriminating evidence.

Oliver Perez wants to stay with Mets … NEW YORK — Even after being essentially ostracized by the New York Mets, pitcher Oliver Perez still wants to be with the team next season.  —  “I want to be back here,” Perez told ESPNNewYork.com.  “I want to have a championship because I know the fans want it and I want it, too.”

Rodriguez goes 7 strong, Astros sweep Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA—Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Houston Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years.  —  The two-time NL champion Phillies …

Hank Steinbrenner: New York Yankees will be defending World Series title  —  Hank Steinbrenner is already looking to the future.  —  Speaking Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the part-owner of the Yankees said he believes the Yankees will be defending their World Series championship come October.

Ricky Nolasco says he will start Saturday for the Florida Marlins  —  Ricky Nolasco got through his drills today pain-free and said he expects to start Saturday for the Marlins.  —  “I didn't expect it to get better so quickly,” he said.  “All I can say is I'll try to be smart about it.”

Chicago White Sox close to obtaining Manny Ramirez from Los Angeles Dodgers  —  The White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers may be closing in on a deal to send Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez to the South Side in exchange for minor league prospects.  —  The deal appeared to be close Wednesday …

Revenue-sharing system gets exposed  —  Leaked financial documents show Pirates, Marlins made profit despite cries of poverty  —  Here at Rumblings, we keep forgetting to get our MBA degree.  And boy, is that aggravating — because an MBA sure would come in handy in weeks like this.  —  Why?

Nats cautious, likely will end Strasburg's season  —  Regardless of the results of Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg's second MRI, he is expected to be shut down for the season.  The Nationals have the final call on the decision, and they are believed not to want to take a chance with their prized pitcher.

Tampa Bay Rays starter Matt Garza says Boston Red Sox can't be counted out of playoff race  —  Matt Garza, who starts Saturday, says that you can't ever count Boston out.  —  Times]  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — RHP Matt Garza knows better than to write off the Red Sox even though the Rays …

Beckett reverses fortunes, helps Boston to 5-3 win  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett (FSY) rebounded from a rough stretch and the Boston Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.