Jays score one  —  After Clay Buchholz gave up a resounding line drive to right field for a Gregg Zaun double, Adam Lind followed with a single.  That left men on first and third base for Russ Adams, who ended up with an infield single when Buchholz caught the relay from Eric Hinske a step before the first base bag.

Mets end 5-game skid, beat Nationals 8-4  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Mets gathered in the infield for fist bumps and high-fives Wednesday night, and while they had celebrated 83 previous victories this season, No. 84 somehow seemed so important.  —  Beating the Washington Nationals …

La Russa at the helm of Mariners' ship?  It's possible  —  The most coveted free agent in baseball this winter could well turn out to be an old utility infielder with a lifetime batting average of .199.  —  Of course, Tony La Russa will be heading to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown …

Cubs beat Reds 3-2, reclaim Central lead  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Alfonso Soriano homered and made a great throw, and the Chicago Cubs scored a strange, go-ahead run in the eighth inning after Ken Griffey Jr. was injured to beat Cincinnati 3-2 Wednesday night and reclaim the NL Central lead.

Padilla's actions are leaving a mark  —  Vicente Padilla will make what will in all likelihood be his final start of the season today at Minnesota.  —  The question the Rangers will have to tackle over the winter is whether it should be his last with Texas, too.

Angels inch closer to pennant  —  L.A. beats Tampa Bay, 2-1, and could clinch the division title during this weekend's series with Seattle.  Santana strikes out 10 and Rivera homers.  —  Two months ago, Ervin Santana was in the minor leagues and Juan Rivera was in physical therapy.

Skip Caray back in Braves booth  —  Heart problems had sidelined broadcaster  —  Longtime Braves broadcaster Skip Caray returned to the broadcast booth this week after missing several weeks recovering from congestive heart failure.  —  Caray, 68, who also suffers from diabetes, spent eight days in Piedmont Hospital.

Arizona beats Giants, keeps 1-game lead  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks overcame a poor start by Doug Davis and kept up their march toward the playoffs.  —  Conor Jackson homered and Chris Snyder had three hits and three RBI, and the Diamondbacks defeated San Francisco 6-4 on Wednesday night.

No whining in baseball  —  Houston - So, there seems to be considerable grousing in Chicago over the Houston Astros' decision to throw three rookie pitchers at the Brewers in the three-game series here.  —  Conspiracy theorists suggest Cecil Cooper, a former Brewer, is laying down his arms …

Baseball's cheaters: It's not hard to see why they do it  —  Another one bites the dust and this time it's a Blue Jay: Troy Glaus. … Senator George Mitchell has 45 players he'd like to interview.  We have affidavits from Jason Grimsley and Kirk Radomski that name names.

Pettitte gets 200, Yanks close in on Sox  —  NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte stayed strong into the eighth inning to log his 200th career win and help the Yankees get a series sweep of the Orioles on Wednesday, securing a 2-1 victory and gaining important ground on October.

JON PAUL MOROSI: Guillen willing to move from short but wants gold-glove replacement  —  He likes 1B, but later in 4-year deal  —  CLEVELAND — On Sunday, in a crucial game, Carlos Guillen started at first base.  —  On Monday, in a crucial game, Guillen started at first base.

Notes: Andruw not making excuses  —  Braves center fielder enduring tough season at the plate  —  ATLANTA — While Andruw Jones continues to contend the career-low offensive numbers he's produced this season aren't a product of him stressing about his future in Atlanta …