Santana allows five runs over five innings as New York finishes sweep  —  9/21/14: Freddie Freeman fields a grounder to first and throws to Andrelton Simmons to start a 3-6-3 double play  —  ATLANTA — Now that the Braves have bid adieu to any thought of playing in October …

Jason Rogers gets try at first base  —  Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jason Rogers  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Cincinnati —Jason Rogers got a start Thursday at first base for the Brewers because, why not?  —  As the 2014 season draws to a close …

Nats Clinch Home Field on Fister's 3-Hit Shutout  —  WASHINGTON — The NL East champion Washington Nationals locked up home-field advantage until the World Series by beating the Miami Marlins 4-0 on Doug Fister's three-hitter in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Friday.

Sluggers Bryant and Gallo make the cut, as do pairs of Dodgers, Nationals and Red Sox  —  MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis takes a closer look at the players chosen for the 2014 All-Prospect Team  —  Last week, MLBPipeline.com handed out year-end awards for top hitting and pitching prospects.

Rays fighting uphill battle to keep franchise relevant  —  St. Petersburg, Fla. — When evaluating precisely why the Tampa Bay Rays, despite excellent management, look as if they've peaked as a franchise, you have to start with the stadium.  —  If I ever needed to show my daughter …

Diamondbacks hire Dave Stewart as GM, De Jon Watson as VP of baseball operations  —  The Diamondbacks officially announced the additions of Dave Stewart and De Jon Watson to their front office on Thursday afternoon, Stewart coming aboard as senior vice president and general manager …

Brewers to exercise Yovani Gallardo's $13M option for 2015  —  The Brewers plan to exercise top starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo's $13 million option for 2015, sources say.  —  The call to bring the right-hander Gallardo back rather than buy him out for $600,000 isn't a surprise …

ROCKIES' JUSTIN MORNEAU BATTLING TO WIN HIS FIRST BATTING TITLE  —  The Denver Post  —  Down the stretch they come in a tight batting race that could very well be decided on the final day of the season.  —  Entering baseball's final weekend, Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau trails …

Very Important Baseball Question: Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich?  —  Is a Hot Dog a sandwich?  —  “Of course not.  It's a hot dog (you imbecile)... ” would be your response, if you're anything like the average major-league baseball player.  —  Point of Order—while no major leaguer actually called …

NOBODY GETS TO PLAY SHORTSTOP FOREVER  —  C'mon, Cal Ripken Jr. said after the 1996 ALCS.  It had been Derek Jeter running, maybe the fastest player in the league, home-to-first from the right side.  —  That, Ripken explained, is why he couldn't throw out Jeter on a two-hopper up the middle in the Yankees' Game 5 clincher.

Royals roll, pull within 1 win of playoff berth  —  U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Royals close in on playoffs as Eric Hosmer powers win over White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Eric Hosmer homered and drove in two runs …

‘All efforts will be made’ to get Jeter's final home game played  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees, who spent the past month praying for a miracle, were left Thursday simply praying for good weather.  —  The entire baseball world will be watching tonight as Derek Jeter is scheduled to play his final game at Yankee Stadium.