The Dodgers third baseman hit his major-league-leading 41st home run Thursday and ranked fourth in the National League in batting average (.335) and RBI (95) entering Saturday.

At 25 years old and in his seventh major-league season, Beltre cites first-year Dodgers hitting coach Tim Wallach as being a guiding voice offensively this season.

"He has helped me a lot on my mental approach," said Beltre, whose previous career high for home runs was 23 last year. "He emphasizes having an idea before you go to the plate: knowing the pitcher, what the pitcher might do, what he has done before, and just having a plan as to how you want to approach the at-bat."

Beltre is set to become a free agent after this season and will command a higher price than his current $5 million.

The Dodgers, who have roughly $57 million available to apply toward next season's payroll, plan to make a serious attempt to re-sign Beltre after the season.

"I think (Beltre and his agent, Scott Boras) know that signing Adrian is our top priority going into the winter," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said.

SLIP SLIDING: The Indians tumbled out of AL Central and wild-card contention over the course of 10 days.

One game behind the division-leading Twins on Aug. 14, Cleveland lost nine straight and dropped to eight games out by Aug. 24.

The team's longest losing streak in 25 years ended with a 4-3 win against the Yankees on Wednesday at Jacobs Field.

"You can't even describe what that feels like to have that off our back," said Cleveland manager Eric Wedge, whose team was outscored 61-23 during the losing streak.

TIP OF THE CAP: Those dirty hats that helped identify Cardinals middle reliever Steve Kline are a memory now.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kline retired his home and road caps after Major League Baseball suspended teammate Julian Tavarez for 10 games Tuesday. Umpires found an illegal substance on Tavarez's hat during a game against the Pirates on Aug. 20.

DON'T LOOK NOW: The AL East became a two-team division again last week.

The Yankees' lead over the Red Sox was down to 5 1/2 games after losing five of six against the Twins and Angels.

"Look, we weren't popping champagne corks when we were 10, 11 games up, and we're not panicking now," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Every team goes through stretches like this. Now we'll find out what we're made of."

JOHN DOE: Once considered a top pitching prospect, Bruce Chen is now with his ninth organization.

The Orioles recalled the 27-year-old last week to pitch against the A's. Fifteen months removed from his most recent major-league start, Chen held Oakland hitless through five innings and allowed just three hits in seven innings.

"I had no idea who he was, and I still don't," A's starter Rich Harden told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I just know he can pitch."

THE LAST WORDS: Twins center fielder Torii Hunter missed just one game with a strained neck after slamming into the outfield wall and a support post during an Aug. 19 game against the Yankees at the Metrodome.

"Come on, this isn't football. It's baseball," Hunter said. "You can play with a headache."

ODDS AND ENDS

• The Padres recalled pitcher Marty McLeary from Triple-A Portland last week. The right-hander is the son of longtime Cincinnati-area and Frontier League umpire Max McLeary. Originally a 10th-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 1997, McLeary made his major-league debut against the Marlins on Sunday.

• The Indians came to terms with Vanderbilt pitcher Jeremy Sowers, the sixth overall pick in June, on Tuesday. Sowers agreed to a $2.48 million signing bonus and will go to the Florida Instructional League next month.

• Expos manager Frank Robinson won his 900th game as a manager Wednesday.

• The Orioles have had losing streaks of nine games or more in the past seven seasons.

• Angels third baseman Troy Glaus, who was expected to miss the season after shoulder surgery in May, went on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Monday.

MLB power rankings

1. St. Louis Cardinals	Reds provided bump in road.
2. N.Y. Yankees	Done in by a squirrel in Cleveland.
3. Boston Red Sox	Cowboying up, it seems.
4. Anaheim Angels	Vlad leading red-hot bats.
5. Atlanta Braves	Guess Bobby Cox hasn't been just lucky.
6. Oakland Athletics	10 wins for Zito in "off" year.
7. L.A. Dodgers	Need Penny back soon.
8. Minnesota Twins	Lew Ford: Best player you've never heard of.
9. Texas Rangers	Ladies and gentlemen, Chan Ho Park!
10. Chicago Cubs	Forget Astros feud, Dusty - focus on standings.
11. San Francisco Giants	Bonds again an MVP favorite.
12. San Diego Padres	Will retire Gwynn's number this Saturday.
13. Florida Marlins	Pavano having Cy Young-like year.
14. Houston Astros	How 'bout that Beltran deal?
15. Cleveland Indians	Reds nemesis Coco Crisp on a tear.
16. Chicago White Sox	Bad time for Freddy Garcia to be ailing.
17. Philadelphia Phillies	Buzzards (and Charlie Manuel) circling Bowa.
18. Cincinnati Reds	Young starters giving quality starts.
19. N.Y. Mets	Ladies and gentlemen, Gerald Williams!
20. Pittsburgh Pirates	Mesa's on the market.
21. Detroit Tigers	You know, they're still not THAT far out.
22. Tampa Bay D-Rays	Kazmir debut lives up to the hype.
23. Kansas City Royals	In a stunning development, Sweeney hurt.
24. Baltimore Orioles	Ladies and gentlemen, Bruce Chen!
25. Milwaukee Brewers	Doug Davis may be bargain of the year.
26. Colorado Rockies	Preston Wilson may be gone for year.
27. Montreal Expos	Vidro gone for the year.
28. Toronto Blue Jays	Team struggles, but Lilly just rolls along.
29. Seattle Mariners	Break up Bucky Jacobson!
30. Arizona D'backs	Randy Johnson seen at Tower Place Aug. 27.

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Information from other news organizations and submitted by other baseball writers was used in this report.

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