Hunter seeks no-trade contract  —  Center fielder wants extension but is not optimistic Twins will grant his request  —  NEW YORK — Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said Friday that he's not optimistic about the possibility of negotiating a contract extension with the Twins, in part because of one stipulation he would require.

For Dusty, a time to reflect  —  When the San Francisco Giants come to Wrigley Field today to open a weekend series against the Cubs, losers of six straight games, beleaguered Cubs manager Dusty Baker will reminisce of much happier days.  —  Baker began his 14-year managing career with the Giants …

Notes: Bell's future not in question  —  Sanders has no tear; Braun reports for first stint  —  KANSAS CITY — Never mind any rumors to the contrary.  There is no reason to believe that Buddy Bell won't return as the Royals manager into 2007.  —  "There's no reason at all," said general manager Dayton Moore.

Reds-Padres Preview  —  The Cincinnati Reds finally ended their losing streak at six games.  That's given them a chance to move into the NL wild-card lead Saturday.  —  The Reds look to jump past the San Diego Padres and into playoff position when the teams continue their three-game series at Petco Park.

D-Backs to change look in 2007  —  Red, sand and black will be Arizona's new color scheme  —  PHOENIX — Like a snake shedding its skin, the Diamondbacks will have a fresh look in 2007.  —  After years of studying the issue, the D-Backs will change their color scheme to a red …

Month of meaning for Rangers  —  ARLINGTON - September is a fickle month for baseball lovers.  It can arrive full of promise and poetry, as it did Friday in New York and St. Louis, in Detroit and Chicago, in Los Angeles and Minneapolis.  —  It's a month for dreamers and broken hearts …

Orioles hold off late charge to snap A's home win streak  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Miguel Tejada forgot how many outs there were in one inning and closer Chris Ray committed a throwing error in the ninth.  Both players overcame their miscues to help Baltimore get a tough road win.

Kouzmanoff hits grand slam in first AB  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in the majors only hours after the Cleveland Indians purchased his contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.  —  Kouzmanoff was the designated hitter in place of Travis Hafner …

So far, so good on Ortiz's heart tests  —  You never hear the word ``unremarkable" associated with David Ortiz, but in this case, it's a good thing.  —  That was the word used to describe the results of Ortiz's heart tests conducted Wednesday and Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital by a team of experts.

Astros look like bigger threat than Reds  —  As a primer to watching September baseball, one might look much closer at the perennially tormenting Houston Astros rather than the Cincinnati Reds as the team that possibly could run down the Cardinals for the National League Central Division championship.

Phillies Schedule Doubleheader Tomorrow  —  Game 1 of single-admission twin bill at 1:35 p.m. ET  —  Friday night's postponed game against the Atlanta Braves has been rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader tomorrow (Sunday, September 3), two games for the price of one.

The Definitive Word on Postseason Eligibility  —  I just spoke with Mets assistant GM John Ricco, the resident rules expert.  He offered the definitive explanation of who is eligible for the postseason.  —  Basically, anyone on the active 25-man roster on Aug. 31 (which would include Anderson Hernandez) …

Jays turn to Burnett to stop skid  —  Toronto (69-66) at Boston (73-62), 1:05 p.m. ET  —  Toronto starter A.J. Burnett pitched poorly in the rain during his last trip to the mound, so he hopes a schedule change will help him avoid a similar situation on Saturday.

Amid Moves, Nats Acquire Ex-Tiger Logan  —  The Washington Nationals' eternal search for an everyday center fielder — a quest that, thus far, has led them to start eight players there this season — yesterday brought them former Detroit Tigers speedster Nook Logan, whom the Nationals acquired …