NEW YORK — Testimony was called off Tuesday as lawyers tried to complete a $6,355,000, four-year contract between third baseman Pedro Alvarez and the Pittsburgh Pirates and a settlement of a grievance filed by the players' union.

Arbitrator Shyam Das began hearing the case Sept. 10 and had scheduled additional testimony for Tuesday and today. In case a deal isn't reached, today's hearing date remained on hold.

Alvarez, the No. 2 pick in the June amateur draft, agreed to a minor league contract with a $6 million signing bonus minutes after the Aug. 15 deadline, and the union contended the commissioner's office and the Pirates could not move the deadline without consent of the players' association.

Under the contemplated agreement, Alvarez would receive a signing bonus in four $1.5 million installments, with one payment Dec. 24 and three payments on each June 15 starting in 2009.

He would be guaranteed annual salaries of $88,750 in the minor leagues. If he is on the major league roster during the season, he would get $400,000 next year, $500,000 in 2010, $550,000 in 2011 and $700,000 in 2012.

PITTSBURGH — Kris Beech, a forward acquired by in a trade for Jaromir Jagr, was among 13 players sent down by the Penguins to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Tuesday.The Penguins cut their roster to 29 players, a number lower than usual so early in the preseason because they will travel to Europe next week to start the NHL regular season. Pittsburgh has two remaining exhibition games before they leave the country.The 27-year-old Beech rejoined the Penguins last season and was scoreless in five games. He has 25 goals and 42 assists in 198 NHL games. Beech had 10 goals in 79 games in 2001-02, after Pittsburgh acquired him from Washington in the Jagr trade.

BUTLER TWP — T.J. Lesniewski and Ryan Soule have been named Butler Quarterback Club Players of the Week.Lesniewski recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and led the Golden Tornado in tackles in last week's 18-0 win over Canon-McMillan. Soule booted field goals of 35, 27 and 33 yards and converted a 35-yard PAT.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans plan to play their home opener at hurricane damaged Reliant Stadium on Oct. 5."I can't say with absolute certainty," Texans owner Bob McNair told The Associated Press Tuesday. "But let's put it this way, I'd be shocked if we did not play there."The stadium's damaged roof probably won't be fixed in time for the game against the Indianapolis Colts, but McNair said that game and the remaining home games could be played with the it open.

BOSTON — The World Series champion Boston Red Sox are back in the playoffs, thanks to a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians that clinched at least a wild-card berth.With Tuesday's win, the Red Sox moved 6Z\x games ahead of the New York Yankees in the wild-card race with five games left. Boston still has a chance to catch Tampa Bay in the AL East.

CONCORD, N.C. — AJ Allmendinger lost his ride at Red Bull Racing Tuesday, paving the way for former Formula One driver Scott Speed to replace him next season.