Matchups could get tricky  —  Playoff pairings could go down to the wire.  —  Another potential playoff scenario to ponder: With only 2 1/2 games separating the Angels, Indians, Red Sox and Yankees, what happens if all four teams finish the regular season with identical records?

Mets fall to Marlins, East lead at 1 1-2  —  MIAMI (AP) — The New York Mets twice blew a three-run lead, raising speculation they might be about to blow the NL East.  —  Florida took advantage of Billy Wagner's absence to rally in the ninth inning, then Dan Uggla hit an RBI double in the 10th …

Padres win 7th straight, half-game out  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Less than a month ago, Brett Tomko was unemployed and working out at a suburban high school, trying to fix his faulty mechanics while hoping someone would sign him.  —  The San Diego Padres are glad they took a chance …

Rangers starter Padilla drops appeal of suspension  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers starting pitcher Vicente Padilla dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension and started serving it Thursday night.  —  Padilla was suspended Tuesday for intentionally throwing at Oakland's Nick Swisher …

Kapler hopes to manage a comeback as player  —  It had nothing to do with managing, which remains a possibility in his future.  It had everything to do with his health and desire, a realization that he could still be a big league player, instead of the manager of the Single A Greenville Drive.

Phillies rally from 4 down to beat Nats  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Jimmy Rollins and the Philadelphia Phillies put together yet another comeback victory in a season full of them, then ducked into a cramped clubhouse Thursday night and got to celebrate something they found equally exciting.

Astros name Wade as GM … Former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ed Wade is the new general manager in Houston.  —  The Astros made the announcement official at a news conference Thursday afternoon.  Wade emerged from an exhaustive search that lasted nearly a month and included 11 official interviews.

Notes: Hill to have shoulder surgery  —  Guzman bats in simulated game; Bergmann going to Licey  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will have his ailing left shoulder surgically repaired by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Oct. 4.  —  According to Hill …

Reds' Griffey to miss rest of season  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season because of a strained groin, the latest in a string of injuries to Cincinnati's All-Star outfielder.  —  Griffey left Wednesday night's game at the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning …

Mets Fans Brace, Wincing, for a Familiar Old Feeling: A New York City Flameout  —  As mortified fans watch the Mets fritter away their once-commanding grip on first place in the National League East, dread infects the city that it might be witnessing a collapse of unprecedented proportions.

Tejada's position will be offseason debate  —  O's could ask shortstop to move to third  —  Arlington, Texas - As the Orioles head into the final days of the season, they also are moving closer to having to make a tough decision on their most accomplished player, Miguel Tejada …

Bucs' GM search over: It's Huntington's job  —  PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates have all but settled on their next general manager and it appears their choice is going to be a surprise.  —  Multiple baseball sources told The Times on Thursday night that the Pirates are leaning heavily …

Astros deliver knockout at Busch  —  The Cardinals found bottom Thursday night at half-empty Busch Stadium.  —  On a night the defending world champions achieved their league's worst run differential within an 18-1 loss, an organization that claims "Baseball's Best Fans" declined to say how many stayed home.

Read: Management is Frustrated  —  At the website for Sports Illustrated, Jon Heyman writes that it's not only bloggers and fanatical e-mailers who are upset with Willie Randolph, 'who assumes the posture of a man without a care.'  —  According to Heyman, people within the organization …