Mazzone out after two seasons in Baltimore  —  Leo Mazzone, who came to the Orioles with a reputation as one of the best pitching coaches in the modern era, was fired Friday after only two seasons in that role.  —  "I spoke with Leo today and told him I appreciated his efforts here," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said in a statement.

Battle Lines Drawn if Rodriguez Opts Out  —  Alex Rodriguez hit 42 home runs and had 46 stolen bases in 1998, becoming just the third player in the vaunted 40-40 club.  He was set up to soak the Seattle Mariners in salary arbitration, except for one detail: against the advice of his agent …

Onslaught  —  On and on it goes: Ortiz and Ramírez lead Red Sox' rout  —  Sometime in the last couple of weeks, maybe they've been out of luck, out of sorts, out of whack, out of time, out of money (on second thought, scratch that last one).  —  But simply out?  Not a chance.

Sources: Mitchell report to reveal big names … Mitchell Commission Plans to Name Players  —  Since former Senator George Mitchell launched his investigation into baseball's steroid past 18 months ago, the big questions have been whether the final report would name names …

Garner willing to entertain job offers  —  Former Astros skipper has not been contacted by Reds  —  CINCINNATI — If it were the right situation, Phil Garner would like to manage again.  —  How about the Reds?  —  Garner, who was dismissed as Astros skipper on Aug. 27 …

A Postseason Fixture, Lofton Is Well Traveled Off the Basepaths, Too  —  Every time Kenny Lofton of the Cleveland Indians sees the persistently played commercial in which a shipping company talks about sending his baseball equipment here, there and everywhere, he said, he looks away from the television.

Unbeatable Rockies find yet another way to win … PHOENIX — The names go flying by them now, right out of a Hottest Teams of All Time newsreel.  —  Boog Powell's 1970 Orioles ... Gabby Hartnett's 1935 Cubs ... . George Brett's 1977 Royals ... Mike Schmidt's 1977 Phillies ... Fred Merkle's 1916 Giants ...

Rivera Puts Some Spin on Plans for Future  —  Mariano Rivera did his best impersonation of a player who was ruminating about leaving the Yankees, even if he probably does not want to bolt from the only team he has ever known.  Rivera, the renowned closer, knows that part of the negotiating process is posturing.

Streaking Rockies beat Arizona 3-2 in 11  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Willy Taveras raced toward the gap for a diving catch, then walked to first base to keep the Colorado Rockies streaking toward the World Series.  —  Jose Valverde walked Taveras on four pitches with the bases loaded in the 11th inning …

Schilling, Rivera on shopping list  —  With big offseason plans dancing in their heads, the Phillies will closely monitor how the Joe Torre saga plays out in New York.  —  If Yankees owner George Steinbrenner makes good on his threat to fire Torre as manager, closer Mariano Rivera is threatening …

Sproing!:  Doc Rivers Likes The Fresh Influx Of Talent  —  SPROING!  —  Doc Rivers Likes The Fresh Influx Of Talent  —  As you can see, Doc Rivers is excited to be coaching Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen this year.  Very excited.

Hunter will stay if Twins' offer is right  —  The center fielder wants a five-year contract this offseason, and the Twins might need to trade Johan Santana if they want to sign him to one.  —  The Twins have a good chance to sign Torii Hunter if they are willing to meet his demand …

Ortiz Says Losing Torre Would Hurt Yankees  —  As Joe Torre's future as the manager of the Yankees remained unresolved, the latest player to express support for him did so from enemy territory.  David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox praised Torre, called him a crucial figure on the Yankees …