In Defeat, Zimmerman Keeps Winning Support  —  In Washington, it has been campaign season since sometime early in the summer, and the spinning will continue to ramp up over the final seven weeks before Election Day.  But some 20 blocks east of the Capitol, the rhetoric and posturing …

Tom has plenty left for playoffs  —  You couldn't blame Tom Glavine if he felt a little strange last night when he took the mound against the Florida Marlins.  Not a single Mets regular was in the starting lineup.  There was still a giddy, woozy, slightly hung-over feeling at Shea Stadium …

Braves, Wickman agree to one-year deal  —  Veteran closer set to return for 2007 season  —  WASHINGTON — Braves general manager John Schuerholz rolled the dice and entered this season without a proven closer.  He won't have to realize the damaging effects of such a gamble next season.

Yanks win ninth straight AL East title  —  Bombers fall to Jays, but clinch division with Red Sox loss  —  TORONTO — Time to pop the corks.  The Yankees are American League East champions once again.  —  New York wrapped up its ninth consecutive division title on Wednesday night …

Howard learning other side of stardom  —  Ryan Howard has broken on through to the other side.  With 11 games to play, he is about to run out of reference points in the long history of sports in this town.  He is about to float in his own orbit.  —  Rhyno is one home run shy of the 58 …

Notes: Harper provides catching depth  —  Backstop impresses in short Major League stint  —  WASHINGTON — Ever since catcher Brian Schneider became a regular during the second half of the 2003 season, the Nationals/Expos have had a difficult time finding a quality backup catcher.

Bonser faces off vs. Schilling  —  Minnesota (89-61) at Boston (81-70), 6:05 p.m .CT  —  When the Twins faced the Red Sox for the first time this season back in the middle of June, they looked at it as a critical series.  —  The Twins knew they had to start winning those types of series …

Notes: Lind wins third Webster Award  —  Outfielder only third Jays player to be three-time recipient  —  TORONTO — Adam Lind figured a trip to Toronto might be in store for him this month.  The 23-year-old outfielder just didn't expect it to be as a September callup, though.

Clemens uncertain about future  —  Future Hall of Famer will use the winter to make decision  —  HOUSTON — As manager Phil Garner strode to the mound to ceremoniously remove Roger Clemens from Wednesday's game, Brad Ausmus had a brief exchange with Clemens, who was in the final moments …

Angels' Moreno: Expect Changes  —  Before team's 5-2 win over Kansas City, owner vows to do `something major' to improve the chances of making a serious run at a championship next season.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It won't rival Babe Ruth's Called Shot during the 1932 World Series …

These first-year players are, foremost, stars  —  In most other seasons, the Florida Marlins' roster by itself would spark a spirited debate on who merits selection as the National League Rookie of the Year.  —  Infielders Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez and Mike Jacobs all have put together strong first seasons …

Giambi, Torre get tough with A-Rod  —  The Yankees' magic number to clinch the AL East is 1.  Fitting, because the defending AL MVP seems to be all alone in the Bronx Bombers' clubhouse.  —  In a story in this week's Sports Illustrated, Alex Rodriguez is portrayed as a loner on the AL's best team …

The Ledger Domain  —  Are the Marlins the Biggest Overachievers of All Time?  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  There's always a reason games aren't played on paper.  For one, it would make for pretty boring television.  But to my way of thinking, perhaps the biggest reason may be that it keeps …

Royals' top scout OK with losing No. 1 pick  —  The last thing the Royals needed right now was for Tampa Bay to fall into the tank.  —  Lost amid the Royals' feel-good finish to 2006 is that Tampa's total collapse (eight straight losses entering Tuesday night) has put the Royals' claim to next year's No. 1 pick in serious jeopardy.

Familiar arms up in the air  —  ARLINGTON — Only two of the pitchers who spent most of the season on the Rangers' staff had seen any major league time with this team before 2005 — relievers Joaquin Benoit and Ron Mahay.  —  Whether either returns in 2007 is an open question.

Notes: GM marks seventh anniversary  —  Rockies putting up big numbers; Holliday joins century club  —  DENVER — Dan O'Dowd celebrated the seventh anniversary of his joining the Rockies as general manager Wednesday, though to call it a "celebration" is something of an overstatement.