Don't listen to the Mets: They're in trouble  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 44 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  WASHINGTON - Just for argument's sake, let's adopt the party line — that the Mets actually were better Tuesday night, as if a 9-8 defeat to the Nationals in the midst …

Yanks move within 2 1-2 games of BoSox  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Back on the field in time for the stretch drive, Mike Mussina and Doug Mientkiewicz are helping the New York Yankees try to chase down Boston.  —  Mussina limited Baltimore to three singles over seven innings …

Barone, not Willis, to take on Braves  —  Florida (65-86) at Atlanta (78-73), Wednesday, 7:35 p.m. ET  —  Riding a three-game losing streak, the Marlins have shaken things up in the series finale with the Braves.  —  After Tuesday's 4-3 setback at Turner Field, manager Fredi Gonzalez announced …

Another one slips away from Gagné, Sox  —  TORONTO - Terry Francona felt he had to find out last night whether he could trust Eric Gagné in October.  How much that costs him in September remains to be seen.  —  For the first time in almost a month, Francona called upon Gagné to protect a lead.

Sheets leaves with hamstring injury  —  Veteran right-hander to be evaluated on Wednesday  —  HOUSTON — Frustration was etched all over the face of Brewers veteran pitcher Ben Sheets after the team's 9-1 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.  —  Sheets had to leave the game due …

Dodgers drop doubleheader to Rox  —  LA homers three times, but Saito allows walk-off shot in ninth  —  DENVER — Not even Takashi Saito can save the Dodgers anymore.  —  Saito, the most reliable closer since Eric Gagne was Eric Gagne, served up a stunning two-run, walk-off blast …

Agent: Cuban slugger Ramirez coming to MLB … Baseball agent Jaime Torres told ESPN that Alexei Ramirez, who led the Cuban league in home runs this season as an infielder/outfielder for Pinar del Rio, has left Cuba and intends to file for residency in the Dominican Republic.

Pirates GM Search: Zduriencik surfaces as likely candidate  —  The Pirates, who already might have conducted at least two interviews for their vacant general manager position, might be about to add a third interview to their list.  —  Milwaukee Brewer general manager Doug Melvin yesterday told MLB.com that …

Chipper ahead late in batting race  —  Chipper Jones has been atop the National League batting leaders periodically throughout the season, but it's getting to be the time where he can visualize a batting title.  —  Entering Tuesday night, with 12 games left, he was leading the NL with a .339 batting average.

Postseason Odds  —  Last update: Tue Sep 18 13:16:01 2007 PT  —  Playing the rest of the season a million times  —  See the PECOTA-adjusted version of this report.  —  As well as the ELO-adjusted version of this report.  —  Would you believe this is the second time in a week my fiber-optic internet cable has been cut?

Brass should shut its mouth  —  It's punks growling from the carpool lane, grandmothers crooning from their couches, weary men banging on steering wheels and giggling teens cheering through blankets.  —  It's Grady Little stinks, and Russell Martin rules, and, hey, if Frank McCourt's listening …

Mets re-assess before game  —  Players meet to discuss club's recent slide on Tuesday  —  WASHINGTON — Willie Randolph didn't deny the Mets' plight on Tuesday afternoon.  He discussed it, explained it and did his best to minimize it.  And when he characterized it, Randolph said: "This is not Armageddon to us."

Versatile Walker works his way into record book  —  Left-hander's 77th appearance tops Ryan, T. Martinez for O's mark  —  NEW YORK - When the Orioles signed Jamie Walker to a three-year, $12 million deal this offseason, several baseball pundits were astounded that a team would spend that much money on a left-handed relief specialist.

Orlando Hernandez's sore foot may nix playoffs  —  WASHINGTON - Orlando Hernandez is expected to wear a protective boot on his ailing right foot for up to 10 days.  The footwear will keep him off a mound for perhaps the rest of the regular season, and leaves his availability for the division series …

Owings' 2-hitter keeps Arizona in 1st  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks needed a lift after a devastating loss.  —  It came from an unlikely source.  —  After struggling in his last two outings, rookie Micah Owings threw a two-hit shutout, just his second complete game …