Mets stumbling toward finish line  —  Alou extends hit streak to 30, but Amazin's continue to reel  —  NEW YORK — Waves of worry washed over Shea Stadium on Wednesday night, when the Mets slipped closer to the once implausible.  Yet another loss to the Nationals had seriously imperiled their lead in the National League East.

Yanks Took Long Way to Accustomed Spot  —  They started the journey seven months ago, across the bay in spring training at Legends Field.  Joba Chamberlain was not invited, Roger Clemens was not signed, Melky Cabrera was not a starter, and Carl Pavano was not hurt.

Closing encounter  —  Red Sox advance toward division title with victory  —  You don't need Matt Noyes after this steamy night in Fenway to tell you what lies ahead.  The forecast calls for champagne showers - perhaps as soon as tonight, with the probability of a drenching growing stronger every day between now and Sunday.

Rumor: Twins Ace Santana To Dodgers  —  (CBS) Foxsports.com is reporting a trade rumor that would send former CY Young award winner Johan Santana to the Dodgers in a deal for OF Matt Kemp.  —  The Dodgers would also send pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw.  —  Kershaw is regarded as the top pitching prospect in baseball.

Brewers fall to Cards, stay 2 games out  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Time is running out on the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  The Brewers wasted a chance to cut their NL Central deficit to one game, giving up a first-inning home run to Albert Pujols in a testy 7-3 loss Wednesday night to the St. Louis Cardinals …

Eight is more than enough  —  Familiar feeling arrives early for O's as Blue Jays blast Zambrano in record first inning  —  Even in this disaster of an Orioles season, it normally takes a couple innings, maybe half a game or more, before the evening's hope at Camden Yards disappears.

Umpire Winters suspended for season after Bradley altercation  —  Mike Winters, the umpire involved in the heated clash with Milton Bradley in San Diego on Sunday, has been suspended without pay by Major League Baseball for the rest of the regular season.  —  The decision was made following …

Arizona drops 3rd straight, 5-1 to Bucs  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — This wasn't supposed to be happening to these Arizona Diamondbacks, not now and especially not in this place.  —  Adam LaRoche drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and Matt Morris pitched effectively over seven innings …

Notes: Biggio to catch on Saturday  —  Veteran readies for backstop gig as career winds down  —  CINCINNATI — More than 15 years have passed since Craig Biggio suited up in a chest protector and shin guards, but on Wednesday, four hours before game time, the 20-year veteran seemingly stepped back in time.

Martin wins second annual Roy Campanella Award  —  Catcher voted "Most Inspirational Dodger" by his teammates  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that catcher Russell Martin was named the winner of the second annual Roy Campanella Award, which is given to the Dodger player …

Rockies win club-record 10th straight  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh Fogg is finally getting to pitch in meaningful games in September for the first time in a major-league career that began in 2000.  —  Most of his teammates are competing for a postseason berth for the first time as well.

Darling, Hernandez give Mets best broadcast team in baseball  —  He came along right out of a dream — the tall, dashing, well-spoken former New York Mets right-hander with the Yale education and 136 major league victories under his belt.  Ron Darling had even been something of a movie star …