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 …

Sheets leaves with hamstring problem  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets left Tuesday night's game against the Houston Astros before the second inning with tightness in his left hamstring.  —  Sheets threw 12 pitches in the first, giving up a double to Josh Anderson and an RBI single to Lance Berkman.

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.

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 …

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?

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 …

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.

Burnett pitches Blue Jays past Red Sox 4-3  —  Toronto Blue Jays' Frank Thomas connects for a two-run home run during first inning baseball against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007 (AP PHOTO/Frank Gunn, The Canadian Press)  —  TORONTO —Once the best closer in baseball …

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 …

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 …