Nathan blows save as A's walk off  —  Twins miss chance to move into first place  —  OAKLAND — Twins closer Joe Nathan suffered his second blown save in five days on Saturday night.  Nathan gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to hand Minnesota a 3-2 loss to the A's at McAfee Coliseum.

Dodgers end eight-game slide  —  Ramirez homers twice in second straight four-hit performance  —  PHOENIX — Manny Ramirez had just pounded out four hits again, two of them homers.  He powered a 6-2 win that halted the Dodgers' losing streak at eight and trimmed the Diamondbacks' lead …

Hunter steals from Texas, gives to Halos  —  Center fielder again robs a homer as magic number dips to 9  —  ANAHEIM — When Torii Hunter robbed Texas' Marlon Byrd of a potential two-run home run on Friday, the center fielder waved his cap to the crowd to acknowledge his amazing play.

Nationals beat Braves for fifth straight win  —  WASHINGTON (AP)—Elijah Dukes pumped his chest with his right fist and gleefully trotted to first base, happy to prove an old baseball maxim: A walk is as good as a hit.  —  Dukes walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning …

Heilman's walk of shame  —  MIAMI - Aaron Heilman had been flawless against the Marlins this season.  Until Saturday night, when he gave up a run without even surrendering a hit.  —  Heilman, who hadn't worked since throwing 60 pitches over three scoreless frames in Tuesday's extra-inning loss …

Chamberlain ready to leave DL, rejoin Yankees … NEW YORK (AP) — Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game Saturday, saying he's ready to rejoin the Yankees for the stretch run.  —  On the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis, Chamberlain said he threw all of his pitches.

Brewers rough up reeling Pirates  —  Hart, Cameron go deep to back Suppan's solid start  —  PITTSBURGH — The Brewers locked the Pirates into a stranglehold early on Saturday night and didn't let go, beating the home team, 11-3, at PNC Park.  —  Milwaukee's 16-hit attack was in stark contrast …

Vizquel wants another year, here or in Japan  —  (08-30) 04:00 PDT Cincinnati —  Omar Vizquel would like to wear a Giants uniform next year, be it in San Francisco or maybe Tokyo.  The 41-year-old shortstop wants to play in 2009, and if he cannot find a job in the majors, he might look to the Far East.

Blue Jays rally to beat Yankees, 7-6  —  NEW YORK - Yankee fans want nothing more than to cheer Alex Rodriguez in situations like these.  Down a run in the ninth, two runners on, a struggling opposing closer on the mound in a game the Yankees desperately need to win.  —  All Rodriguez has to do is come through.

Astros ink Erstad, Moehler to extensions  —  Players are signed through the 2009 season  —  HOUSTON — Darin Erstad and Brian Moehler have both signed one-year contract extensions for the 2009 season, the Astros announced during Friday's game against the Cardinals.