Sandoval Hits for the Cycle as Giants Beat Rockies  —  DENVER (AP) — Pablo Sandoval tripled in the sixth inning to complete the first cycle of his career and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 8-5 on Thursday night to keep their slim postseason hopes alive.

Buchholz could throw bullpen session Saturday  —  BOSTON — Prior to Thursday's game with the Rays, Clay Buchholz made another stride toward recovering from a back injury that has kept him sidelined since June.  —  Buchholz threw 15 pitches in the bullpen and 15 more “short box,” where the catcher sets up in front of the plate.

Rockies' CarGo re-injures right wrist; Panda hits for cycle  —  DENVER — It's not enough for the Rockies to lose.  They continue losing players as well.  Carlos Gonzalez re-injured his right wrist while colliding into the right-field wall in the sixth inning, and will likely miss at least a few games.

Pirates Eliminate Dodgers With 6-2 Victory  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ross Ohlendorf got his first win of the season in seven starts and hit a three-run homer to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 Thursday night, a loss that mathematically eliminated the bankrupt franchise from the NL West race.

The Man Not Named in ‘Moneyball’  —  Paul DePodesta could have been like Billy Beane.  He could have had his name, his image and his story immortalized on the big screen in “Moneyball,” the film about the 2002 Oakland Athletics set to premiere next weekend.

Marlins' Logan Morrison files grievance  —  NEW YORK — Florida Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison has filed a grievance against his team for what he believes was a wrongful demotion last month.  —  Morrison, 24, was sent to the minors Aug. 13, shortly after hitting third in the batting order in a game that night.

Angry Collins believes Mets have ‘folded it up’ … NEW YORK — Terry Collins has reached his breaking point.  —  After defending his team's fight and will all season, the New York Mets manager said his team has “folded it up” following a 10-1 loss on Thursday to the Nationals that marked …

Carlos Beltran wants more from San Francisco Giants  —  DENVER — Carlos Beltran already escaped one ownership mess with the New York Mets.  Now the Giants, his current club, are in the midst of their second palace revolt in three seasons.  —  Beltran insisted the stunning ouster …

Tigers' 12-Game Winning Streak Snapped by A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — David DeJesus hit a three-run homer in the first, Brandon McCarthy pitched seven strong innings and the Oakland Athletics snapped Detroit's 12-game winning streak with a 6-1 victory on Thursday night …

Cue the ‘Sandman’: Mariano, song synonymous  —  Rock hit will be retired at Stadium once closer finishes career  —  The opening chords of Metallica's “Enter Sandman” blare over the Yankee Stadium sound system, and by the time the drums kick in 15 seconds later, everyone in the building knows what is about to happen.

Phillies sweep Marlins, inch closer to division title  —  PHILADELPHIA - So close to another shutout, Cliff Lee had to settle for a team win.  —  Ryan Howard hit an RBI double in the 10th inning soon after Lee fell one strike short of his seventh shutout, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat …

Inbox: What will the payroll be in 2012?  —  Beat reporter Rhett Bollinger answers Twins questions from fans … What is the Twins' projected payroll for 2012?  Will they spend more money to field a winning team?  — Adam S., St. Cloud, Minn.  —  The Twins entered this season …

Young over 100 RBIs in Texas' 7-4 win over Tribe  —  ARLINGTON, Texas—Michael Young hit a three-run double to go over 100 RBIs for the second time in his career and the AL West-leading Texas Rangers completed a three-game series sweep of Cleveland with a 7-4 victory Thursday night.

Angels' Abreu endures his toughest season  —  Bobby Abreu is playing hurt.  —  Physically, the Angels designated hitter/outfielder is fine — at least as fine as any 37-year-old veteran of more than 2,200 major-league games can be in the September of his 14th full big league season.