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 …

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.

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.

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.

Prospectus Today  —  Take a Breather … Note how divergent the two teams' paths were coming out of last weekend's series.  The Red Sox ran into Dustin McGowan and A.J. Burnett, two power right-handers who, when healthy and allowed to pitch regularly, are above-average starters.

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 …

Notes: Marlins ready to play spoiler  —  Florida won't lay down in final 10 games vs. playoff contenders  —  ATLANTA — Eliminated from playoff contention, the Marlins are now perfectly content to become spoil sports in their remaining games.  —  Beginning on Friday night at Dolphin Stadium …

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 …

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.

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.

Pirates Notebook: Duke determined to regain rookie form  —  SAN DIEGO — Zach Duke heard the news he had been awaiting for three months: He will retake the mound as a starter in 2007.  —  Pirates manager Jim Tracy informed him yesterday afternoon that he will pitch Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Pitch Identification Tutorial  —  To celebrate this back-to-school time of year, I'd like to conduct a tutorial of sorts.  What I want to cover is how to identify the pitches of any pitcher's repertoire, given the fabulous pitch-f/x data that several others and I have been working with this season.

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 …

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.