Howard's just what MLB needs right now  —  PHILADELPHIA - Only the most feared hitters would be walked intentionally to lead off the ninth inning of a tie game between two teams scrambling for a wild card.  —  This is where Ryan Howard stands as he bears down on Major League Baseball's …

Rangers' Volquez will go again  —  Showalter wants to see plenty of young pitchers in season's final month  —  OAKLAND - The Rangers won't skip Edinson Volquez in the rotation after all.  —  Rangers manager Buck Showalter said Monday that the struggling rookie will pitch Saturday at Seattle.

Cubs can't overcome Big Z's early exit  —  Theriot hits three-run double in rally effort, but error looms large  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano tried to be a hero on Monday.  It wasn't a good move.  —  Zambrano, who has been the one constant in the Cubs rotation this year …

Standing ovation doubles Abreu's pleasure  —  Sandwiched between such potent stars as Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez, it sometimes seems as though Bobby Abreu is the forgotten man in the Yankee lineup - even though he bats third.  —  But after Abreu stroked …

Speedy Matsui jets his way into Rockies' future plans  —  Los Angeles - Kaz Matsui continues to play a starring role in "The Fast and The Curious."  He remains in the lineup because of his speed, quick bat and, just as important, contract talks that aren't running in circles.

Giles has healthy heart  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Tests determined that Marcus Giles has a healthy heart and he can keep playing baseball, a huge relief to the Atlanta Braves and their second baseman after he was told he might have a heart defect.  —  Giles was en route to Shea Stadium …

Sox fail to extend wild-card lead  —  After losing 2 of 3 to K.C., White Sox bracing for Boston  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After losing two of three games to the team with the worst record in the majors, the White Sox know better than to take a depleted Boston team lightly when they visit Fenway Park …

Wallace Matthews  —  Don't mean a thing if he ain't got that Oct. swing  —  The lead in the division is nine games, the magic number is down to 18 and the fans have become downright leisurely, wandering in and out of the action like a U.S. Open crowd prowling the outer courts.

Bert red-faced over blue words  —  Twins analyst Blyleven was suspended after obscenity he used Sunday got on the air.  —  Twins television analyst Bert Blyleven has been suspended for two telecasts for accidentally using obscenity on the air before the start of the Twins-Yankees game Sunday afternoon in New York.

Williams looks for fast start against Rox  —  Colorado (63-73) at San Diego (70-66), 6:05 p.m. PT  —  After pulling out a series win against Cincinnati by winning the last two games, the Padres welcome the Rockies to San Diego for a three-game set.  —  "Anytime you win a series, it's big.

A White Sox Fan Discusses Hawk Harrelson  —  If you haven't noticed, the Toaster's Catfish Stew has added a new writer, Phillip Michaels.  I've really enjoyed his new voice here.  Considering how many A's blogs there are it can't be easy to come up with a unique spin on the team …

Moneyball, Part 2: The Cliché Comes To Life  —  Moneyball is a raincloud, and A's bloggers are Eeyore.  The book follows you where ever you go.  It's difficult to come up with an interesting angle on the A's that hasn't been covered by Moneyball, or by the seven hundred billion gazillion essays …

Gload making the most of bit part  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ross Gload didn't get his first hit until April 25 and once went 11 games this season without playing.  —  That didn't discourage Gload, who has become a valuable part of the White Sox's roster.  —  Gload has raised his batting average …