Time to close curtain on this act  —  TORONTO — In 2011, when Manny Ramírez will be 39 years old, he will start to receive the first installment in 16 years of deferred payments.  The checks that year will total slightly less than $2 million, and by the year 2026 …

Pirates-Padres Preview  —  Chris Young nearly threw a no-hitter Friday to help the San Diego Padres hold onto their lead in the NL West.  The Padres hope Jake Peavy can follow that up with a dominant effort when he takes the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Notes: Teixeira chases DiMaggio  —  First baseman returned to form with 20 homers in second half  —  ARLINGTON — For Mark Teixeira, the countdown to DiMaggio is down to one.  —  The Rangers' young first baseman entered Friday night's game against Cleveland with 135 career home runs as his fourth Major League season winds down.

Cubs mum on Girardi situation  —  Could be popular pick if Baker doesn't return  —  CINCINNATI — Rumors of Joe Girardi's anointment as heir apparent to Cubs manager Dusty Baker gained steam Friday after a published report said Girardi has "zero" chance of returning as manager of the Florida Marlins.

Bonds ties Aaron for NL homer mark  —  Slugger hits career home run No. 733 in Milwaukee  —  MILWAUKEE — The Giants' big man is healthy once more, and opposing pitchers are paying the price.  —  Barry Bonds hit career homer 733 on Friday night at Miller Park, tying Hank Aaron …

Notes: Schneider finishing strong  —  Catcher's adjustments lead to hot streak to close out season  —  NEW YORK — Brian Schneider's remaining at-bats of the 2006 season might not change his final statistics much, but they can still be important.  —  Having corrected flaws in his stance …

Cutoff men  —  Bombers' brass vow to punish fans who scalp  —  Furious that fans are reselling their tickets online, the Yankees have started revoking the contracts of season-ticket holders and banning them from buying playoff seats this year.  —  The team has fired off at least eight letters …

Colletti Sees Ethier in L.A. Future  —  Andre Ethier was back in the starting lineup Friday, but the rookie left fielder openly expressed doubts about whether he would be back with the Dodgers in 2007.  —  A prolonged September slump in which he is batting .128 with no home runs and one run batted …

A's walk-off win gives Zito lasting image  —  Scutaro's heroics put Oakland in position to clinch AL West  —  OAKLAND — Barry Zito wore the satisfied, bemused look of a man who knows he's about to attend one hell of a party.  —  Thanks to Bobby Kielty, Jay Payton, Marco Scutaro and a host of lesser heroes, he is.

Guillen rips effort in loss  —  Manager doesn't mince words as Sox tumble to Mariners  —  CHICAGO — When the Detroit Tigers finished off a three-game series victory Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, all but ending the White Sox hopes of repeating their 2005 World Series title …

Cards Notebook: Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  David Eckstein's name appeared among the starters on the Cardinals' lineup card Friday night for the first time since Aug. 18, when he suffered a strained left side.