Rick Ankiel received 12-month supply of HGH, News learns  —  PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, baseball's feel-good story of the season, received a 12-month supply of human growth hormone in 2004 from a Florida pharmacy that was part of a national illegal …

Sox wear down Orioles  —  Uniform change can't alter familiar outcome  —  BALTIMORE - He may not have to shave yet, but the legend has legs.  —  There can be little doubt of that after 23-year-old Clay Buchholz, in the encore to his no-hitter in his second big league start, made his first relief appearance one to remember, too.

Pirates fire GM Littlefield; interim replacement is Graham  —  The Pirates this morning fired general manager Dave Littlefield near the end of his seventh losing season.  —  He will be replaced on an interim basis by Brian Graham, the team's director of player development.

Breaking down who's on the hot seat  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Manager A is in last place with a record of 59-81.  His team, perhaps the most disappointing in the majors, could finish with the worst record in the American League.  —  Manager B is three games out in the wild-card race with a record of 73-66.

Yanks' hopes rest on rookie arms and pitching by committee  —  The Yankees have used 13 different starting pitchers this season, including eight rookies, six of whom made their major league debuts, so they certainly know how fickle the fortunes of a rotation can be.  Heck, Carl Pavano, of all people, started on Opening Day.

David Wright closing in on homers-steals plateau  —  David Wright is not a speedster like Jose Reyes, but the Mets' third baseman always presumed it would be easier for him to swipe 30 bases than belt 30 homers in a big-league season.  —  As the Mets open a home stand tonight against the Astros …

Inside Pitch with the White Sox  —  Showing his hand  —  Manager Ozzie Guillen said he will give reserve Andy Gonzalez (above) a few consecutive starts at shortstop over the next three weeks, indicating that the White Sox are sold on the versatile rookie as a future bench player — and that Juan Uribe's days might be numbered.

JOBA'S DAD TRAVELING TO K.C.  —  A dream comes true tonight when Harlan Chamberlain will be at Kauffman Stadium to see his son Joba in a Yankee uniform.  —  "There probably will be a tear or two running down my cheek," Harlan told The Post last night from his home in Lincoln, Neb. "I'll just say a little prayer and thank God.

MONEY HAUL  —  Call us crazy, but where else in the world can be found an industry where a small market GM leads the large market companies?  When does a business with half the budget dictate protocol for the "super powers" in the business of baseball?  In the case of the Oakland A's and GM Billy Beane …

From worst to ... not quite first  —  Every spring, Baseball America ranks the 30 major league organizations based on minor league talent, a list that gets significant credence from club executives and media members alike.  —  This year, the magazine ranked the Washington Nationals 30th …