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 …

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 …

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 …

Paul Lo Duca hurts knee, vows to play  —  Paul Lo Duca insists he will try to play in the Mets' must-win game today despite leaving last night's 7-4 loss to Florida in the eighth inning with a bruised left knee.  —  Lo Duca was struck by a foul ball in the seventh and temporarily remained in the game …

Delcarmen now is set up well to succeed  —  His 35th homer of the year - a solo shot in the eighth - earned David Ortiz a pat on the head from Mike Lowell.  Ortiz went 3 for 4, rapping a double to go with his homer.  Lowell was 2 for 4.  (BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF)

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Rivera blows save, Yanks lose in 10; Red Sox clinch East  —  BALTIMORE - For the first time since 1997, the Yankees will enter the postseason as the wild card team, as their streak of nine consecutive AL East titles was snapped last night with an ugly loss to the Orioles.