Giants use Cain, smack Rangers into 2-0 hole  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants' 9-0 rout Thursday over the Texas Rangers included the usual helpings of “torture” but also the hallmarks of a championship team.  —  Matt Cain, the Giants' budding October star, hastened their victory in Game 2 …

Giants' Jose Guillen Linked to Drug Investigation  —  Jose Guillen, the San Francisco Giants outfielder, was kept off the team's postseason roster shortly after federal authorities informed Major League Baseball that he was tied to an investigation into shipments of performance-enhancing drugs …

Official Elias Rankings  —  MLBTR has obtained the official Elias rankings for the upcoming offseason.  The list below includes all ranked free agents, including those who have already signed, those who say they'll retire and those whose options will likely be picked up.

Marlins had their chance to get Ozzie Guillen  —  Sox said Florida, Ozzie could talk — but it never happened  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As Ozzie Guillen stepped to the Fox TV platform nestled between the giant Coca-Cola bottle and old-time mitt in left-center field at AT&T Park on Thursday …

Harper: New York isn't Oakland, Sandy … EDITORS' PICKS … BEST OF NYDN.COM

Worked and didn't work for Joe Girardi  —  The Yankees are basically a press release away from retaining Joe Girardi as manager.  He's coming off a season in which he was constantly second-guessed by the fan base and the media, especially down the stretch.  Like any manager, though, he had a year of good decisions and bad.

Mattingly runs out of hurlers in AFL game  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Don Mattingly ran out of pitchers during the Peoria Saguaros' 15-1 shellacking of his Phoenix Desert Dogs during Thursday afternoon's Arizona Fall League action.  —  That dearth of available hurlers for the Desert Dogs manager …

Cubs select Catcher Robinson Chirinos from Double-A Tennessee  —  Outfielder Jim Adduci outrighted to Triple-A Iowa  —  The Chicago Cubs today selected catcher Robinson Chirinos from Double-A Tennessee and outrighted outfielder Jim Adduci to Triple-A Iowa.  Chicago's 40-man roster currently stands at 39 players.

Watney has staying power with NESN  —  Heidi Watney doesn't hesitate to acknowledge that her name is often tangled up with rumors, ranging from the harmless to the scandalous.  —  “It comes with the territory,” said Watney, who has spent three seasons as NESN's Red Sox reporter.  “But no, it's not fun.”

DAVID ORTIZ EXPLAINS WHY HE WANTS MORE THAN A ONE-YEAR DEAL FROM THE RED SOX  —  Starting with a relatively placid tone before working up to a series of intense declarations, the slugger left absolutely no room for interpretation when it came to his thoughts on the past, present, and future:

Continued: Childress ponders having Favre sit  —  While the injury certainly would factor into the decision, Childress also has been upset with Favre's play this season.  Favre has 14 turnovers, including 10 interceptions, during the Vikings' 2-4 start.  Childress caused renewed discussion …

When a team wins the first two World Series games . . .  Well, the Giants just won Game Two, just as last night they won Game One.  What does the future hold?  Well, let's see what the past holds.  —  Prior to tonight, a team has gone up two games to none in the World Series 50 times.

Wakefield wins 2010 Clemente Award  —  Red Sox knuckleballer's charitable actions earn recognition  —  Dependability and loyalty are two words as synonymous with Tim Wakefield as the knuckleball that has kept him going for all these years.  Whether it is on the field or in the community, Wakefield has always been there when needed.

Padres Sign Dominican Outfielder Moreno  —  The Padres have signed Dominican outfielder Edwin Moreno for $500,000.  —  Moreno, who turned 17 yesterday, was one of the top prospects on the international market with several above-average tools at the plate and in the field.

Vlad out, Murphy in for Game 2  —  SAN FRANCISCO — On Wednesday night, Vladimir Guerrero became the 10th outfielder in World Series history to commit two errors in one game.  —  On Thursday, he was out of the lineup.  Manager Ron Washington decided to go with David Murphy in left field …

Giants' bats make surprise appearance  —  San Francisco pounds Cliff Lee and earns another postseason win against big-name arm  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Cliff Lee didn't see this coming.  But then again, we're pretty sure Miss Cleo didn't see this coming.  —  In a World Series game started …