Long balls sink Birds  —  Cano, Abreu go yard as Lidle earns his 12th win  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees know full well they're embroiled in a fight with Detroit for the American League's best record and the chance for home-field advantage throughout the postseason — a race that remains tied following …

Dodgers move into first in NL Wild Card  —  LA pounds out 11 runs on 17 hits to dominate Colorado  —  DENVER — Hobbled Nomar Garciaparra homered for the third time in eight games, Russell Martin drove in four runs and Greg Maddux delivered six effective innings on Tuesday night as the Dodgers beat …

Cardinals' free fall could lead to disaster  —  The 1964 Phillies, the gold standard for late-season collapses, soon could get a reprieve.  —  Yes, the 2006 Cardinals are flopping that badly.  —  The team's meltdown already might have cost first baseman Albert Pujols the National League MVP award …

Shot at a starting job a relief for McCarthy  —  But he won't count on being in 2007 rotation  —  CLEVELAND — Brandon McCarthy doesn't assume he'll automatically be in the White Sox's rotation next season.  —  But he has embraced getting back into a routine as he prepares for Wednesday night's start …

Notes: Verlander to rest until playoffs  —  Rookie righty hopes skipping start will allow him to be fresh  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander's regular season is over so that his postseason has a better chance of a good start.  —  Though manager Jim Leyland left his rotation open for the final weekend …

No Longer His Heyday, Too Early for Mayday  —  Randy Johnson went 17-11 this season and exceeded 200 innings for the 14th time.  But he has not looked like the pitcher who has won four Cy Young awards.  —  When you have known Randy Johnson for a decade, and helped him rebuild his back and realize …

Notes: Eaton laments lost season  —  Injury leaves right-hander wondering what could have been  —  ANAHEIM — This is as obscure as it gets but Adam Eaton has a chance to earn his eighth victory on Wednesday night in only his 13th start for the Rangers.  —  In the history of the Rangers …

Girardi wants to stay with Marlins  —  Manager denies speculation he wants job with Cubs  —  MIAMI — As far as Joe Girardi is concerned, he was hired as Marlins manager for three seasons, and he intends to fulfill the terms of his contract.  —  Speaking Tuesday afternoon before the Marlins faced …

Cloud follows Martinez, Mets' plans  —  Righty makes final regular-season start Wednesday  —  ATLANTA — The Mets play three games here this week, three games of no consequence in terms of their playoff positioning.  Pedro Martinez starts one of them, though, and for him and the Mets …

Hoffman, closers deserve more respect  —  Something really REALLY BIG happened in baseball on Sunday, something not quite akin to Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's all-time home-run record, but not far off.  —  Padres right-hander Trevor Hoffman BROKE the all-time career saves record …

Nationals' train derailed; no one injured  —  WASHINGTON - A chartered Amtrak train carrying the Washington Nationals derailed early Tuesday near Wilmington, Del., but no one was injured.  —  "It was a very minor derailment,'' Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said. "  The rear wheels of the locomotive went off the track.''

Dejan Kovacevic Chat Transcript  —  shouldBworking: I have been unable to get a definitive read on the team's longterm plans for Freddy.  Do you think they will attempt to sign him longterm this off-season or make him perform again next year?  —  Dejan Kovacevic: Before we start, an apology for missing the past two chats.

Cubs' Rusch: `I was scared'  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Glendon Rusch was short of breath and when he hopped on the treadmill to do some running, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.  —  Dr. Stephen Adams wasted little time sending him to the emergency room of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

This Man Is Extremely, EXTREMELY Old  —  This bespeckled elderly gentleman is Silas Simmons, and he was recently discovered to be the oldest living Negro Leagues ballplayer.  He is 110 ... wha?  He's 110??!!  And he's 111 next month?  Jesus.  —  Anyway, he played for the Homestead Grays in 1913 …

When Willie speaks, Mets listen  —  Players take to, respect Randolph's managerial style  —  ATLANTA — Three Mets veterans — Cliff Floyd, Mike Cameron and Marlon Anderson — had returned to their lockers almost simultaneously one Spring Training afternoon in 2005 to find copies of the team's …

Notes: Shealy's hives shuffle lineup  —  Manager Bell rests at home; Blanco heads to LA doctor  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Talk about doing something rash.  —  How about this Royals lineup?  Jeff Keppinger playing first base and batting second, Esteban German in the No. 3 slot, and Angel Sanchez playing second base.