No dirt from Dusty...for now  —  If his tenure here ends when the season does, don't expect the Cubs manager to lash out at anyone.  That may come at a later time.  —  As he enters the final two weeks of the four-year deal that brought him to Chicago, Dusty Baker understands why many view …

Damon's a feast for hungry Yankees  —  NEW YORK - There is a defiance in Johnny Damon's voice, one seldom stirred and then by only one device: the Boston Red Sox.  Damon is generally a passive observer or a clown who trolls through the New York Yankees clubhouse quoting "Talladega Nights" …

Padres-Dodgers Preview  —  One night after the Los Angeles Dodgers used a four-time Cy Young Award winner to stay atop the NL West, they will turn to a rookie to try and increase that lead.  —  The Dodgers will send Chad Billingsley to the mound when they continue a four-game series against San Diego Padres on Saturday.

Back-to-Back Titles for Class A Yankees  —  Kyle Larsen knew what it took to win a New York-Penn League title.  Larsen, one of the few returning players from the Staten Island Yankees' 2005 championship team, drove in both runs last night in a 2- victory against the visiting Tri-City ValleyCats …

Ozzie likes Mackowiak in center  —  OAKLAND, Calif. —Rob Mackowiak started in center field for the third time in the last four games on Friday night, as Guillen obviously has shown which player he is most confident with in crunch time.  And it isn't Brian Anderson.

Scioscia, Watson Reach 'Understanding'  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he and Bob Watson, baseball's vice president for on-field operations, reached an "understanding" Friday, but the two still don't seem to be in agreement on discipline for bean balls and brush-back pitches.

Notes: Alou shrugs off critics  —  Giants manager not concerned with status next year  —  ST. LOUIS — There have been e-mails and letters and outcries from talk show hosts and baseball critics from the first day manager Felipe Alou was hired by the Giants, telling the world he wasn't and isn't up to the job.

Ichiro sets two records in one day  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki stole his AL single-season record 33rd consecutive base in the third inning of Seattle's game against Kansas City on Saturday night.

Starting could relieve Papelbon  —  NEW YORK — With just more than two weeks left in the regular season, the Red Sox have essentially made their first big decision of the offseason.  —  Jonathan Papelbon, whose dominance as a closer this season evoked memories of Dick Radatz …

Gastall's secret, fatal flight … His last words came over the control tower radio at Dundalk's Harbor Field on Sept. 20, 1956: "75-Hotel.  I'm going into the water."  —  The voice belonged to Tom Gastall, a 24-year-old reserve catcher for the Orioles.  Married with a young son …

Gonzo set to move on, would like to 'haunt' D-Backs  —  PHOENIX — Undisputedly the most popular player in the nine-year history of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Luis Gonzalez is saying goodbye.  —  One day after being told by the team's front office that he would not be back next season …

Rebuilding the empire  —  The demise of the Yankees was greatly exaggerated  —  Until recently, the prevailing belief about the Yankees was that their run was about up.  Their cycle of success was complete.  After finding the ideal mix of a productive farm system and a characteristically …