Nats wish they can play Mets every day  —  Belliard's blast in the fifth inning proves to be the big blow  —  WASHINGTON — Warning: Don't ever call the Nationals spoilers in front of manager Manny Acta, even though his team is playing the Mets and Phillies in the final 11 games of the season.

Doug Mientkiewicz's defense is first priority  —  Was it only three weeks ago that the Yankees lost a game by 16 runs, which can happen if you forget to score any runs of your own.  A few days earlier, same road trip, they watched the team in the other dugout put 18 runs on the scoreboard.

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.

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 …

Torres Lands New Cuban Client  —  Miami-based agent Jaime Torres, who has represented Cuban defectors such as Jose Contreras and recent signees Yohannis Perez (Brewers) and Yoslan Herrera (Pirates), has a new client available to meet with major league teams.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Report: Yanks will be on road to finish 2008 season  —  The House That Ruth Built will close at the end of the 2008 season, but the schedule that MLB built doesn't seem to realize that.  —  Next season will serve as a six-month homage to Yankee Stadium, as baseball's cathedral will celebrate its 86th and final year.

Report: Bonds critical of man who bought 756 ball … SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds thinks Marc Ecko, the man who purchased the ball from his 756th home run, is wasting his money, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.  —  Ecko, a fashion desiginer, purchased the baseball …

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 …

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.

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 …

Note: Umpires are Egomaniacs  —  Marlon Anderson has been suspended for two games, in response to his tirade when arguing balls and strikes with the home-plate umpire over the weekend.  —  Prior to last night's game, he told reporters that he will appeal the suspension on grounds …