Red Sox hoping to end stumbles  —  Shocking September swoon has club looking for answers  —  In part because of the dazzling way they broke out of the gate this season, the Red Sox have never truly learned who they are.  You see, a team doesn't know who it is until a mountain of adversity hits it in the face.

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 …

Grady grates on fans  —  Dodgers faithful grow impatient with Little's moves  —  The easiest thing to do in baseball is to blame the manager.  The hardest thing to do is to find someone who can do the job better.  —  With the Los Angeles Dodgers tumbling from first place in the National League West …

New York METS  —  Carlos Delgado (hip) had an encouraging batting practice session Thursday and is likely to start Friday's game.  —  Delgado put his spikes on late in Thursday's game in case he was needed, though the Mets didn't want to use him.  —  Shawn Green will sit out Friday night's game in observance of Yom Kippur.

The New Gossage?  The Old One Says Yes  —  Across the country, all the way to the mountains of Colorado, is not too far to experience the heat, embrace the hype, when Joba Chamberlain goes into the game.  —  The occasional fastball under the chin — even over the head — is music to an old intimidator's ears.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …