PHILADELPHIA — All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen wasn't in St. Louis' lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies because of a sore left shoulder. Albert Pujols started in his place.

        Rolen, traded to the Cardinals by the Phillies last month, said he was hurt during a series at Pittsburgh during the week. He is day-to-day.

        MARINERS: The AL West-leading Seattle Mariners, looking for another starting pitcher for the stretch run, acquired right-hander Ismael Valdes in a trade with the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

        The Mariners gave up a pair of minor leaguers, infielder Jermaine Clark and left-hander Derrick Van Dusen.

        “I don't think you see a sad face on me,” Valdes said in Texas, before the last-place Rangers played the Toronto Blue Jays. “I'm excited about this. It's tough to leave my teammates. I've made good friends here. But they understand I have a chance to go and win a ring, and for that I'm excited.”

        Valdes will go right into the Mariners' rotation as their No.4 starter, pitching Wednesday night at Detroit in place of John Halama.

        Valdes, who turns 29 on Wednesday, was 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA in 23 starts for the Rangers.

        To make room for Valdes, Halama was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma. The left-hander will be brought back Sept.1 when rosters expand.

        DEVIL RAYS: Tampa Bay recalled right-hander Lee Gardner from Triple-A Durham and optioned Jesus Colome to the Bulls.

        Gardner pitched 32-3 innings and had a 4.91 ERA in four games with Tampa Bay earlier this season. Colome, a right-hander, went 2-7 with an 8.03 ERA in 29 games for the Devil Rays.

        The Devil Rays also moved pitcher Ryan Rupe, sidelined with an injured right knee, to the 60-day disabled list. He is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery Wednesday.

Reds 2, Astros 1 Reds box, runs DAUGHERTY: Baseball knows fans will return At last, joy in Mudville Cards likely to get good view of Estes Louisville 8, Columbus 7 Clock ticks as negotiations resume A-Rod at top of his game while team is at bottom Cards' Rolen sits with sore shoulder Cardinals 5, Phillies 1 Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 Pirates 3, Brewers 2

Akili wants turn vs. Saints
Backup running backs Keaton, Johnson racking up yards
Fans wondering where Colts' offense went
Brady mediocre in second exhibition
Davis to wear Broncos jersey one last time
NFL Camp Notebooks
Redskins 35, Steelers 34
Beem him up, Scotty
Guys with more longing than sense
Tiger makes his charge, but runs out of holes
Tiger's relationship with swing coach has changed
Under pressure, Wadkins pulls performance up to par
Woods, Lefty unlikely teammates
Kroger commitments
Sorenstam wins Compaq Open
Da Matta returns to winning ways
Jarrett's problem-solving does the job at Michigan
Sadler takes Rudd's place with Yates
College players keep skills sharp in summer league
Kentucky clinches Little League semifinal berth
Shaq a no-show at youth basketball camp
Blake outlasts Srichaphan for first tour title
Fire shut out Revolution
Sports gear so out of style it's in style
Sunday Silence, former Kentucky Derby, Preakness winner, dies

• Return to Reds front page...