With Lincecum Pitching, a Lead Feels Insurmountable  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum climbed atop a small stage Wednesday and sat down to answer questions from the news media, moments after Roy Halladay finished off his no-hitter in Philadelphia.  —  Lincecum's seat was barely warm when he was asked if he had seen Halladay's gem.

Twins' misgivings about umpire were justified  —  MINNEAPOLIS - One by one, they scurried up the tunnel to witness the latest umpiring disgrace.  By now, the Minnesota Twins are used to crucial calls in the postseason going against them, though that doesn't make them any less masochistic about it.

Moorad wishes he'd spoken up about Burrell  —  Looking back, maybe Jeff Moorad should have meddled.  Maybe the Padres' CEO should have insisted that his baseball staff take a second look at Pat Burrell and, if necessary, a third.  —  Maybe Moorad could have prevented the San Francisco Giants …

Eastern League Top 20 Prospects  —  Baseball America's League Top 20 lists are generated from consultations with scouts and league managers.  To qualify for consideration, a player must have spent at least one-third of the season in a league.  Position players must have one plate appearance for every league game.

Crucial hits make Berkman true member of Yankees  —  Tweet  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Lance Berkman resided in an interesting place as he came to bat in the fifth inning last night.  Technically, he was a Yankee.  He had the uniform, drew a paycheck signed by a Steinbrenner, enjoyed the company of a clubhouse saturated with All-Stars.

Mark Cuban on Rangers: 'I hate day-game starts; it's hard to get drunk, then watch the Rangers game, then go back to work'  —  Mark Cuban has only one problem with the Rangers' 2-0 lead in the American League Divisional Series against Tampa Bay.  —  “Obviously, I'm like everybody else …

Mets set sights on Sandy Alderson, White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn as general manager candidates  —  MLB Consultant for Dominican Operations Sandy Alderson visits the New York Mets Dominican Summer League facility.  He might be more involved with the Mets very soon.

Rangers on the brink of first playoff series win  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Following Cliff Lee in the postseason is a tough act, yet C.J. Wilson made it look easy.  —  Now, the Texas Rangers are up 2- in their AL division series against the Tampa Bay Rays, with a chance to make franchise history …

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: Frank McCourt back running team — see, he is the owner  —  Sound the trumpets, pop the champagne, cue the confetti ... Frank McCourt is back in charge!  —  And here you thought this couldn't possibly get any more fun.  —  Those crazy Dodgers, it's always something.

MLB players want offseason meeting  —  PHILADELPHIA — Representatives from the Major League Baseball Players' Association are trying to organize what would be a rare meeting between umpires, players and the commissioner's office to discuss growing concerns about the state of umpiring in Major League Baseball.

Zito off roster for this series, source says  —  The Giants this morning will announce a Division Series roster that does not include pitcher Barry Zito, the team's highest-paid player, a source said Wednesday night, several hours after manager Bruce Bochy said either Madison Bumgarner …