Wednesday's first pitch

Leading Off
The Houston Astros have been making one of their patented late-season runs. That might have all come to an end Tuesday night.
Ace Roy Oswalt left the game in the second inning.
Oswalt is 6-4 this season, but has twice won 20 games and holds a career 3.17 ERA.
The three-time all-star is third among active starters in career ERA.
If he's out for any extended period of time, the 'Stros are done.

Regional Roundup
Lots of news for the local squads, especially trade rumors.

• Marcus Hayes says bring on the Jays ... ace, that is. Pedro Martinez' bullpen session went well. Cole, where have you been? Jimmy Watch: 1-for-5 again, one run scored, one strikeout.


• People are beginning to worry about the Orioles' rebuilding process. We think they're panicking too soon. You've got Markakis, Adam Jones, Matt Weiters to build the lineup around. Plus, you have to be impressed by Brad Bergesen. He's 6-5, with a 3.65 ERA. Sure, he only has 59 whiffs in 116 innings, but he's also allowing just 2.3 free passes per nine innings. Plus, he's pitched six innings or more in 14 of his 18 starts. However, it doesn't look like the O's will make any big trades to add prospects.


• The Nationals could be really relevant in the trade market.


• Speaking of the trade market, do the Pirates have anything left in the cupboard? Are they going to trade Willie Stargell's remains? Oh wait, Jack Wilson and Fredi Sanchez are still Pirates. Doubt that will be for long.

Best of Rest

• Jim Hendry doesn't like the trade rumors about Milton Bradley.


• The Sox trade an outfielder. Which Sox club, you ask? Both.


• The Red Sox spent $50 mill just to go on a date with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Now, the honeymoon is over.


• Tampa Bay is making a move on the Yankees.


• Speaking of the Yankees, Chien-Ming Wang's season is done.

Batter's Eye

• The Mets continue to eat their young. Without mustard. Owner Fred Wilpon threw Omar Minaya under the bus. Then he backed up the big yellow vehicle and did it again. Mike Lupica says the Mets need to win for Omar to keep his job.

Today in history 1915 -- Honus Wagner, 41, became the oldest player to hit a grand slam as Pittsburgh beat Brooklyn 8-2. The grand slam was an inside-the-park homer. Wagner remained the record holder until 1985, when Tony Perez hit one the day before his 43rd birthday.

1983 -- Steve Garvey of the San Diego Padres halted his NL record of 1,207 consecutive games. The streak ended when he dislocated his thumb in a collision with Atlanta pitcher Pascual Perez while trying to score.

The Closer Mark Buehrle is so underrated. His recent streak of retiring 45 straight batters isn't some flash in the pan. The southpaw is 133-91 for his career with a 3.78 ERA. That's a lower number than John Lackey, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte. His resume also includes two no-hitters and two all-star nods.