Admit one — With wild card out of play, the games really matter  —  They play 19 games a year, every year, and we treat each unfolding drama as if it were the work of William Shakespeare.  Then the dust settles and the air clears, and in the aftermath, we come to a stunning conclusion.

Angels-Rangers discipline announced  —  A total of 10 members of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers organizations have been disciplined for their participation in on-field incidents during their games on Tuesday and Wednesday at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.

Escobar holds down Mariners  —  Righty tosses seven solid innings for ninth victory  —  ANAHEIM — The way Mike Scioscia saw it, the Angels could have won an Emmy for their primetime performance on Thursday night, with Kelvim Escobar earning one for best actor.

Borowski proving to be a valuable commodity on young Marlins staff  —  If anyone should have wanted Joe Borowski gone at the trading deadline, it was Taylor Tankersley.  With Borowski pitching elsewhere, Tankersley probably gets first crack at replacing him in the closer's slot.

Notes: Johnson healthy, productive  —  First baseman has avoided the injury bug in his best season  —  WASHINGTON — The 2006 season marks the first time since 1999 that Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson hasn't been placed on the disabled list, and he is having one of his better seasons with the bat …

Notes: Edmonds out indefinitely  —  Cards center fielder has post-concussion syndrome  —  ST. LOUIS — Following an extensive battery of tests, Jim Edmonds has been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.  His availability is considered a day-to-day matter, but the condition plaguing Edmonds is clearly one to be taken seriously.

Retired pitcher Brown in turf battle  —  The grass apparently is not greener on the other side of the fence for retired Major League Baseball pitcher Kevin Brown, who reportedly pulled out a pistol in a dispute with a neighbor over yard debris.  —  Bibb County sheriff's deputies were called …

Power helps Traber, Nats top Braves  —  Zimmerman, Schneider go deep in second straight win  —  WASHINGTON — Rookie third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was in the middle of everything on Wednesday night, and, for the most part, it helped the Nationals win another game against the Braves …

August can be the cruelest month  —  Jim Thome hates days off.  At least that's what he tells himself this time of the year.  —  "When I have a day off, that's when I get tight," Thome said.  "Sometimes I'd rather we didn't ever have a day off.  That's when things get tight or lock up."

Tigers' bullpen preserves win in opener  —  Rogers gets first win at Comerica Park since June 13  —  DETROIT — Kenny Rogers had a chance to avenge his former team for the loss it gave him in April.  But the worst revenge wasn't his five-plus innings.  It was making his former teammates face Joel Zumaya …

Wilkerson can't shoulder pain  —  Outfielder finally succumbs to yearlong soreness, heads to DL  —  ARLINGTON - Finally yielding to the yearlong soreness in his right shoulder, outfielder Brad Wilkerson agreed to go on the disabled list Wednesday.  He will have season-ending surgery next week.

Braves tag Nats with shutout loss in series finale  —  The play was so close that most who watched it unfold had no idea whether Marcus Giles was out or safe at the plate.  —  The Atlanta Braves second baseman, trying to score on teammate Edgar Renteria's single to left …