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 …

Dodgers too old (or is it young?) for this  —  This youth movement has officially gotten old.  —  I thought it would work, I really did, but I admit today that I am wrong.  —  By using the last couple of months to integrate, the Dodgers have done nothing but alienate.

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.

Guerrero, Anderson drive Halos past M's  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Angels moved to the brink of their third AL West title in four years.  —  Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer, Garret Anderson had two hits and three RBIs and Los Angeles beat …

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 …

Red Sox trying to avoid '78 sequel  —  Not long ago, their lead was oversized, roomy, comfortable.  —  Now, with just over a week remaining in the regular season, it's suddenly snug, tight, constricting.  —  The talk that they are creating an unwanted sequel to 1978 has grown …

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.

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 …

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 …