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.

KRIEGER: Early prediction was overly modest  —  LOS ANGELES - They say you should always get out in front of negative publicity, so let me say this before somebody else does:  —  I was wrong.  —  I was too negative.  —  I did not appreciate the kid Rocks sufficiently.

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.

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 …

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.

Anderson Takes a Cut at the Umpire Who Ejected Him  —  Marlon Anderson was optimistic after his hearing that his two-game suspension would be reduced, but said he left Major League Baseball's offices feeling "sick to my stomach" after reading the report filed by the umpire who ejected …

Good company: Phillips in 30-30 club  —  Reds fall to Astros as second baseman reaches elite plateau  —  CINCINNATI — Trying to become a first-time 30-30 player, the goal teased and taunted Brandon Phillips into frustration for two weeks.  —  On Wednesday, Phillips could breathe easy.

The All-NincompoOPS Team  —  In the past, I have unveiled my All-OOPs (Overrated Offensive Players) team at the conclusion of the season.  It was comprised of players who hit for a higher batting average than the league norm while putting up on-base percentages and slugging averages that were below the means.

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.

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 …

Cubs drop 2nd straight to Marlins, 7-4  —  MIAMI (AP) — Panic, Cubs fans.  —  The Cubs' grip on the NL Central lead became shaky Wednesday night, when they were shut out over the final 5 2-3 innings and lost for the second night in a row to the last-place Florida Marlins, 7-4.

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.