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 …

What will Gord do?  —  MILWAUKEE — Tomorrow afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers will participate in coin flips with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs to determine home field for potential one-game playoffs in the event of a tie for the Central Division title.

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.

The 10 Greatest Yankees Pennant Races of All-Time  —  In a two-part piece, Jonah Keri lists Nos. 10-6  —  David Ortiz and Derek Jeter.  —  A second-half surge by the Yankees, combined with recent slumps by the Mariners and Tigers, have allowed the Bombers to open up a three-game lead in the Wild Card chase.

Former Cubs, Giants manager Dusty Baker leading busy life this year away from baseball  —  Strolling across his Northern California estate, Dusty Baker stops to pull weeds, checks out the solar paneling that provides energy to cool and heat his new home, and fixes the drip irrigation system in his vineyard.

Wild Card no longer such a crazy idea  —  After a skeptical start, two-team addition a postseason success  —  The Wild Card can now be seen in the context of contemporary existence in much the same light as the cellular telephone:  —  How did life go on before it existed?

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.

Time to amend the save stat … One thing we never get tired of, here at International Rumblings and Grumblings Headquarters, is offering our completely voluntary services to save the game of baseball.  —  We're selfless like that.  —  So this week, what we'd like to help with, if this sport will just let us, is to save the save.

Notes: Guerrero a late scratch  —  All-Star out of lineup Thursday with inflammation in right triceps  —  ANAHEIM — With inflammation in his right triceps, MVP candidate Vladimir Guerrero was a late scratch on Thursday night for the Angels' first of four games with the Indians at Angel Stadium.

Mariners release right-handed pitcher Rick White  —  White went 0-1 with a 8.40 ERA in six appearances for the Mariners  —  DETROIT, Mich. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today that that the Mariners …

Buchholz solid in relief, BoSox edge O's  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — The no-hit rookie kept the Baltimore Orioles scoreless in his encore performance, and a trio of veterans helped Boston rally three times before prevailing.  —  Pinch-hitter Jason Varitek singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning …

A few things.....  BALTIMORE - The Sox arrived here at about 2:30 a.m. this morning which was considered "a civilized" time by Sox manager Terry Francona.  The manager has his family with him on this trip as do a few of the Sox players.  —  The Red Sox are trying to rebound from a 6-4 defeat …