Top News:
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Red Sox clinch AL East crown — BOSTON (AP) — Jonathan Papelbon danced barefoot in the infield. Daisuke Matsuzaka smiled and bowed to a group surrounding him. And the sound system played "Don't Stop Believin'." — Ecstatic fans joined in to savor Boston's first division title in 12 years …
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Red Sox Win the East — After a double and a passed ball in the bottom of the tenth, the Yankees intentionally load the bases. Ramirez strikes out Millar, but Mora drops a bunt to third and the winning run scores as the Orioles take the Yankees 10-9. — That loss settles a number of things in the AL East.
Discussion:
The Griddle
O'Ryan Johnson / Boston Herald:Sox fans hang around Fenway to savor clinch
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Daniel Malloy / Boston Globe:
Buchholz won't pitch this season — After consulting with pitching coach John Farrell and general manager Theo Epstein, Terry Francona announced this afternoon that Clay Buchholz, the rookie sensation who pitched a no-hitter Sept. 1, will not pitch for the remainder of the season and will not be on the postseason roster.
RELATED:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
No postseason for Buchholz — Red Sox rookie hurler shut down due to shoulder fatigue — BOSTON — As it turns out, top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz will not be a secret weapon for the club come October. Citing some weakness and fatigue that developed in Buchholz's right shoulder during September …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Theo: "Last resort" to shut down Buchholz — Theo Epstein just met in the dugout with reporters and said that shutting down rookie Clay Buchholz was "obviously not a first choice, obviously not a second choice, but a last choice. Ultimately, the decision with the medical staff was something we have to do.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rookie Clement delivers walk-off win — First hit of the night a game-winning home run against Texas — SEATTLE — Mariners manager John McLaren talked before the game about the thunder in rookie Jeff Clement's bat. — For the second time in three days, Clement delivered a stunning clap …
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David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Clement's blast in 9th chases Rangers — Mariners rookie pulls out late heroics for second time — For the record, Jeff Clement's game-winning homer Friday night was a two-run shot, not a three-run shot. — The extra Mariner running around the bases at the conclusion of the 6-4 victory …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Hamels pitches Phillies into 1st place — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jimmy Rollins was reminded of his bold preseason prediction countless times, especially when it seemed the Philadelphia Phillies were going nowhere. — Many snickered. Others criticized. Few outside the locker room believed.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Cecil Cooper to return as Astros manager — HOUSTON (AP) — With Bud Selig's blessing, the Houston Astros picked Cecil Cooper as their full-time manager. — The 57-year-old Cooper received a guaranteed contract through the 2009 season on Friday, a month after he was chosen as interim manager to replace the fired Phil Garner.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
Jorge Arangure Jr / ESPN:
Wright's challenging words might be too late … NEW YORK — Between the signs of resignation and the half-hearted attempts at optimism, there was one yet slight sign the New York Mets might have some life left in their floundering season. As a despondent Mets clubhouse emptied …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Kazmir to management: Get us some help — TORONTO - Scott Kazmir, like others, hopes better days are ahead for the Devil Rays, who with a 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday guaranteed they'll again finish with the majors' worst record. — But the young ace said Friday they need …
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Young, old pull together for a win — Dodgers avoid generational conflict for a change as Wells, 44, and the kids combine to beat Giants, 8-3. — Youth was finally served at Dodger Stadium on Friday. But not without a great deal of help from the third-oldest player in baseball.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
C'mon — What Else Are We Gonna Do? — I can't tell you with any great conviction that there's any good reason to invest your faith in our team this weekend. Of course I can't. I was at the same game Thursday night that you were or watched. There was nothing about the Mets' performance …
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:Mets Fall Into Tie With Phillies
Discussion:
Bronx Banter, The700Level.com, Baseball Musings, Babes Love Baseball, NY Daily News and Knuckle Curve
Associated Press:
List of broadcast crews for TBS' new baseball playoff coverage — The announcing teams for TBS' coverage of baseball's four division series: — CHIP CARAY and TONY GWYNN: Caray is the son of longtime Braves broadcaster Skip Caray and grandson of Hall of Famer Harry Caray.
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Nationals pick up 2009 option on Manny Acta — So this is fitting given our story this morning and our discussion today. — The Nationals announced that they have picked up the 2009 option on Manager Manny Acta's contract. He has, as we discussed, a two-year deal with two one-year, club options.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Lackey gets Angels back on track — He shuts out A's for seven innings, picks up his 19th victory and probably will win the league ERA title. — OAKLAND — The Angels now know who they're playing and where they're playing next week. They will open the American League division series Wednesday …
Discussion:
Associated Press

