Journal photo / Mary Murphy

THE STOPPER: When the Yankees acquired first Richie Sexson and then Xavier Nady, it was assumed that it would help the team's performance against left-handed pitchers. And maybe it will, but it has not so far helped them much against Jon Lester. For the second time in July, Lester beat the Yankees last night, pitching out of a big-time jam in the fifth inning and cruising most of the rest of the way, while also benefitting from the best offensive attack the Sox have seen since the All-Star break. Joe McDonald has the story on Lester's latest outing, which ran his record to 9-3 (and 4-0 following a Boston loss). Rob Bradford agrees with Joe's conclusion: Jon Lester is no longer an ace in training, but an ace in his own right. (Boston Herald)

SAD SID: And while Lester has done well against the Yankees this year, Sidney Ponson now drops to a career 3-12 with a 6.92 E.R.A. against the Sox. (Boston Globe)

THEY WERE A GOOD ONE-TWO PUNCH FIVE YEARS AGO: Allan Wood points out that an ESPN graphic depicting last night's fielding alignments got the starting pitchers for both teams, showing Josh Beckett starting for the Red Sox and none other than Beckett's former Marlins teammate, Carl Pavano, going for the Yankees. (The Joy of Sox)

THE MANNY MESS: Earlier this season, it appeared to be a no-brainer that the Red Sox would pick up at least the first option on Manny Ramirez's current contract. Today, the consensus seems to be, that while the Red Sox are unlikely to find any team willing to pay a suitable trade price for Ramirez this week, these appear to be the final months of Manny's career in Boston. Especially if, as Peter Gammons said last night during the ESPN telecast, Manny has an idea of making $100 million in the free-agent market. Sean McAdam writes that the Red Sox and Manny seem to be in agreement that a trade would be a good thing. Steve Buckley, in the Herald, goes a step further, saying that the Sox need to trade Manny now, because "they truly can't count on his support for the remainder of the season." John Harper of the New York Daily News writes that the Manny saga and the uncertainties surrounding it are just one reason the Yankees have closed the gap significantly on the Red Sox.

NOT SO FAST: But Ken Davidoff, of Newsday, says that this latest Manny meltdown may mean nothing in October, particularly if Ramirez continues having games like he had last night.

SUCCESSFUL AND SYMBOLIC: Dan Shaughnessy of the Globe writes that Manny's blowing through a DeMarlo Hale stop sign en route to scoring a run in the first inning last night was "the perfect Manny metaphor. Manny's talent has allowed him to run through stop signs for his entire adult (we use that term loosely) life."

JUST CHANGE THE SUBJECT: Chad Finn on his Touching All the Bases blog: Manny could save himself and his exasperated fans so much grief if he just called the media over to his locker and said, "Listen, guys. My knee is killing me despite what the MRI says, but I realize the Yankees are closing in on us, our offense is struggling, and the team needs me out there, so I'm going to try to play through it. Understood? Good. Now go ask Tito why he never pinch hits for Varitek in the late innings. That's the real crime against baseball around here."

SEND HIM A LETTER: Since Manny mentioned in his interview with ESPN Radio that the Sox can just send him a letter after the season to tell him that they won't be picking up his option, the guys at the Bronx and Beans blog are inviting you to draft your own letter to send to Manny.

RIGHT WHERE HE BELONGS: Jonah Keri in the New York Sun has a list of five players who should be traded, three who should be called up, and one (Manny) who should not go anywhere.

IN NEW YORK, THEY'RE HAPPY WITH THEIR TRADE: Brian Cashman says that Nady and Damaso Marte were not acquired as rentals, and that the Yankees plan to have them on the roster next season as well (N.Y. Daily News). Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the Post writes that outfield prospect Jose Tabata, one of the four players the Yankees sent to Pittsburgh, is more fool than jewel, and says that a majority of scouts he polled believe New York won the deal. None other than Bill Mazeroski apparently agrees with this assessment. (N.Y. Daily News) Kat O'Brien of Newsday reports that Nady's arrival means it is less likely we'll be seeing Jorge Posada again this season.

ANOTHER MOVE ON THE WAY? Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Yanks are trying to recreate the 2006 Bobby Abreu deal in their talks with the Mariners about Jarrod Washburn. The goal: Offer to pick up every penny of a very expensive ($13 million-plus) contract, but refuse to part with any prospect of real value. Former Mariner Richie Sexson says Washburn would be a perfect fit for the Yanks. (Newsday)

GOOSE GAZING: Peter Abraham's LoHud Yankees blog: While the Red Sox were preoccupied with all things Manny, Peter Abraham reports that several Yankees players -- Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Andy Pettitte, Joe Girardi, Jason Giambi and Joba Chamberlain -- were hanging around the clubhouse watching Goose Gossage's induction in the Hall of Fame. Abraham also wonders why the Sox don't do to Manny what the Yankees did last season with Gary Sheffield: "Pick up his option then trade him. That way you dictate what team he goes to."

FORGET ABOUT IT, RAYS: Mike Vaccaro looks back at this weekend's series and concludes that, simply put, the Rays have no chance of holding off these two teams. (N.Y Post)

THE NEXT MO? He may have missed the entire 2007 season following Tommy John surgery, but Yankee minor leaguer Mark Melancon is in some eyes a possible successor to Mariano Rivera. (N.Y. Post)

AMERICA'S VILLAINS: John Harper of the Daily News says the Yanks' hot streak has made them once again "the team America loves to hate," on and off the field.

A NIGHT OUT FOR PAPI AND A-ROD: David Ortiz joined Alex Rodriguez for dinner at Boston's JER-NE restaurant on Saturday night, on the eve of A-Rod's 33rd birthday. (N.Y. Post)

A MESSAGE FOR THE PRESIDENT: Mike Lupica says President Bush would be a hypocrite to pardon Roger Clemens on his way out of the White House.

THEY'RE GETTING EDGY IN TAMPA: Normally mild-mannered Rays manager Joe Maddon ripped into his team this weekend for a lack of hustle, which according to pitcher Scott Kazmir "was something that really needed to be said. It really needed to be said." (tampabay.com) But if Maddon wanted to inspire, what he got yesterday was an impotent offensive attack in Kansas City, St. Petersburg Times beat writer Marc Topkin to note that the Rays hitters appear to be pressing, having tallied just 47 runs in 17 games.

A GLORIOUS DAY, INDEED: At the blog Bugs and Cranks, they're counting down to the day the Rays break the record (70) for most victories in franchise history.

SWAN SONG: The Dodgers' acquisition of Casey Blake from Cleveland could be the last trade for L.A. general manager Ned Colletti, who has apparently lost the confidence of owner Frank McCourt. (L.A. Times)

ON THE WAY BACK: Roy Oswalt is expected to return from the disabled list tonight, when the Astros face Cincinnati. (Houston Chronicle) ... Mets manager Jerry Manuel believes Pedro Martinez might be available to pitch for the Mets on Friday night in Houston. Martinez is on bereavement leave following the death of his father last week. (New York Post)

SUNDAY SPECIAL: The Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Angels, their first victory on a Sunday since April 6, prompting manager Dave Tremblay to have a cigar. (Washington Post)

A BAD DEAL FOR YOUNG: Dmitri Young of the Nationals, who has diabetes, is not feeling well enough to travel, let alone play baseball anytime soon. (Washington Post)