Pujols punishes Padres  —  NL West lead is trimmed to a game over the Dodgers  —  ST. LOUIS - The Padres had vowed not to let Albert Pujols beat them during their three nights in St. Louis.  On the third night, he did.  —  Punishing the Padres for allowing him the chance to decide the game …

Source: Robinson won't return in 2007  —  Nationals manager won't be retained after end of regular season  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are planning to tell manager Frank Robinson on Thursday that he will be not return to the club in 2007, a baseball source said after Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Mets' Rotation May Get Jolted After Martínez's Abysmal Outing  —  The 61st and final pitch Pedro Martínez threw Wednesday night was a breaking ball that barely broke.  It floated through the strike zone, the kind of pitch begging to be sent screaming in the opposite direction …

Studes' Fielding Awards  —  It's not only postseason chase time, it's awards time.  Lots of folks are proclaiming their choices for MVP (my picks: Derek Jeter and Carlos Beltran; yeah, yeah, I have an East Coast bias) and Cy Young (my picks: Johan Santana and Brandon Webb) awards.

Mariners Notebook: Soriano wants to be a starter  —  Setup man eager to get back on mound after suffering concussion  —  Rafael Soriano not only wants to get back on the mound, he wants to get up there and stay awhile.  —  Speaking publicly for the first time since suffering …

Requiem for a champion  —  A month ago when the Red Sox collapsed, the baseball world cried out in a mix of horror and glee that could have been heard in Siberia.  This week, the defending World Series champion White Sox were eliminated from playoff contention.

Royals see Angel in the infield  —  GM Moore says the team still views struggling Berroa as a key player in the rebuilding plan.  —  Here's the official line: The Royals don't plan to address Angel Berroa's declining production and seasonlong struggles by shopping this winter for another starting shortstop.

Hurdle believes money available to aid wish list  —  A summer swoon not only spoiled the Rockies' season, but shaped their offseason wish list.  Colorado will attempt to add an everyday center fielder, an eighth-inning reliever and a bat off the bench.  More important, manager Clint Hurdle …

Agent: Bonds will play in '07, expects Giants to call  —  Barry Bonds, who is only 21 home runs behind Hank Aaron, will play in 2007, his agent told the Los Angeles Times.  —  "Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the paper on Tuesday.

Marlins' Olsen, Moehler will not be suspended  —  Major League Baseball will not suspend Marlins pitchers Scott Olsen and Brian Moehler, who were ejected last weekend in Philadelphia after hitting batters.  —  Moehler was ejected Saturday after he hit Ryan Howard.

T.O: 'There was no suicide attempt'  —  NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE  —  Just hours after News 8 first broadcast details of a Dallas police report that said Dallas Cowboys star receiver Terrell Owens attempted suicide Tuesday night, Owens was back at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch training center catching some passes from quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

Know-it-all rookies frustrate Baker, Blanco  —  One of the problems with the Cubs' rookie pitchers is they don't believe they need to follow the advice of their veteran catcher.  —  At least that's what manager Dusty Baker told the media Wednesday while applauding the work of catcher Henry Blanco.