White Sox ‘fire’ interim manager Joey Cora by text  —  White Sox coach Joey Cora, who was told on Monday that he'd be the interim manager for the final two games, was informed by a Ken Williams' text on Tuesday that he's no longer needed.  —  The strange end to the White Sox' 2011 season …

Parts of Suit Against Mets' Owners Are Dismissed  —  A federal judge awarded both sides a partial victory Tuesday in the $1 billion lawsuit brought against the owners of the Mets by the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff — allowing the suit to go forward, but limiting how much money …

Jose Reyes hits 2 HRs, boosts bid for NL batting title  —  NEW YORK — Jose Reyes hit two solo home runs, putting pop into his bid for the NL batting title, but the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 5-4 on Tuesday night on Drew Stubbs' squeeze bunt in the 13th inning.

Rays turn triple play  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays have turned the third triple play in team history.  —  The Rays accomplished the feat in the sixth inning Tuesday night while trailing 3-2 on a grounder by the Yankees' Russell Martin(notes).

Bumgarner Wins 13th, Giants Blank Rockies  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, Brandon Belt homered into McCovey Cove and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-0 on Tuesday night.  —  Conor Gillaspie, making a rare start …

Saltalamacchia out but ‘available’ for O's game  —  BALTIMORE — Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said he wanted to play Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles but his collarbone is still stiff, weak and sore, so manager Terry Francona decided to go with rookie Ryan Lavarnway behind …

Roberts' slam gives Arizona amazing comeback win  —  PHOENIX — Ryan Roberts' grand slam capped a six-run 10th inning that gave the Arizona Diamondbacks the most amazing of their 48 come-from-behind victories this season, a 7-6 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

A's acquire Kila Ka'aihue from Royals for Ethan Hollingsworth  —  Last week the Royals designated Kila Ka'aihue for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster, and today they traded the 27-year-old first baseman to the A's for minor-league pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth.

Prince Fielder has 1st 3-HR game, Brewers top Pirates 6-4  —  MILWAUKEE - Prince Fielder hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his career, including a two-run shot in the seventh inning that lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

September Collapse of Red Sox Could Be Worst Ever  —  After beating the Texas Rangers on Sept. 3, the Boston Red Sox were 84-54.  Although half a game behind the Yankees in the American League East, the Red Sox had a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the wild card and roughly a 99.6 percent chance of making the playoffs.

Game 161: Red Sox at Orioles  —  Here are the lineups:  —  RED SOX (89-71)  —  Ellsbury CF  —  Pedroia 2B  —  Ortiz DH  —  Lowrie 3B  —  Gonzalez 1B  —  Lavarnway C  —  McDonald RF  —  Crawford LF  —  Scutaro SS  —  Pitching: LHP Erik Bedard (5-9, 3.50)  —  ORIOLES (68-92)

Q&A with Mets GM Alderson  —  The Mets dismissed Omar Minaya as their general manager on Oct. 4 of last year, and on Oct. 29, they hired Sandy Alderson to replace Minaya as the person responsible for their baseball operations.  —  Technically, therefore, Alderson has been on the job for only 11 months …

Setback may keep Cervelli out for October  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli has suffered another concussion-related setback and is all but certain to sit out the American League Division Series, if not the entire postseason.  —  Cervelli traveled with the Yankees …

Bryan Petersen's homer leads Marlins over Nats  —  MIAMI - Bryan Petersen homered with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and Javier Vazquez pitched a five-hitter as the Florida Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Tuesday night.  —  Petersen hit the first pitch from reliever Doug Slaten (0-2).

Making my awards picks (for now) … The ballots for the Baseball Writers Association of America major awards are due before the playoffs begin, which still leaves time to finalize the choices.  —  (Partial disclosure: I do have a vote for one of the awards, but will honor the request …