Alou's streak sets Mets, MLB '07 marks  —  Outfielder's eighth-inning RBI single also ties Sunday's game  —  MIAMI — Moises Alou is atop the Mets' record books.  —  Alou singled to center field on a 1-2 pitch in his fourth at-bat Sunday, extending his hitting streak to a franchise-record 27 games.

Rockies, ump disable punchless Padres  —  Bradley in middle of fracas, hurts knee  —  There could not have been an uglier finish to the home season.  —  Not only did the Padres get swept by the Rockies to jeopardize their playoff hopes, Milton Bradley injured his right knee while being restrained …

Notes: More power, but more strikeouts  —  Marlins have set team record for going deep and striking out  —  MIAMI — Sometimes strikeouts come as a byproduct of power.  —  So it isn't that startling that in a year when the Marlins have already established a team record for home runs in a season …

Red Sox are ready to take their position  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The champagne flowed yesterday in Cleveland, where the Indians don't win a big game without Trot Nixon sticking a whipped cream pie in somebody's face.  And there wasn't a dry shirt in Anaheim, where the Angels …

MUSSINA: THE 'RULES' HAVE GOT TO GO  —  THE Joba Rules morphed closer toward the Joba Suggestions yesterday.  However, if they do not evolve further for the playoffs to allow the righty to work whenever needed, they just might unleash the Chamberlain Conflict within the Yankees' organization.

Going, Going...  The greatest baseball player in the world is about to lead the game's most storied franchise to its thirteenth consecutive October in the playoffs.  And then he might leave town.  Inside A-Rod's Endgame.  —  T  —  he last time the New York Yankees didn't make the postseason, there was no postseason.

Notes: Humber the man on Wednesday  —  Former No. 1 pick to make first career start against Nationals  —  MIAMI — Mets manager Willie Randolph has chosen to start rookie Philip Humber against the Nationals on Wednesday in what could be a crucial game for the Mets and their playoff hopes.

Hunter's Home Farewell  —  Saturday afternoon was the inaugural Stick and Ball Guy Convention, so I headed downtown for some breakfast at Hubert's before taking in the Twins-White Sox game at the Metrodome with a dozen other citizens of SBG Nation.  A good time was had by all despite the fact …

Jeremy Bonderman's season over; Jair Jurrjens won't pitch Fall League  —  Jeremy Bonderman won't pitch again this season.  —  Bonderman reported soreness Sunday, one day after throwing what Tigers manager Jim Leyland called an excellent bullpen session.  That was enough for the team to shut him down.

One celebration down, 4 to go.  —  Contrary to some local beliefs, we didn't fold and we didn't screw it up.  We made the post season.  Not to belittle any of the other major sports, more because I never played hockey or basketball seriously, but I can't imagine a more grinding schedule than the MLB schedule.

Dodgers end 7-game skid, top Arizona 7-1  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks know exactly who's chasing them — and what they must do to wrap up the NL West title.  —  But the Diamondbacks wasted a chance to extend their division lead Sunday, losing 7-1 to Chad Billingsley …