Mets' bats help secure Game 1 win  —  Delgado's four hits, Wright's two doubles back pitching  —  NEW YORK — Whatever gloom and doom had seeped into the Mets' universe because of the recent injuries could have weakened them even more than the injuries and undermined their plans for the National League's postseason tournament.

Yanks still feasting off sweep of Sox  —  NEW YORK - What transpired at Fenway Park Aug. 18-21 will go down as the low point of the Red Sox' season, if not the new century.  —  For the New York Yankees, however, their first five-game sweep in Boston since 1943 catapulted them past the Sox …

Injuries Can't Dent Randolph's Playoff Passion  —  Here it was the day before the start of the 18th postseason of Willie Randolph's October-filled career, and he entered the interview room down the hall from the home clubhouse at Shea Stadium for what should have been a proud, glorious moment.

Phillies let go 3 coaches  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies let go three coaches on Tuesday, an indication manager Charlie Manuel will keep his job for another year.  —  First-base coach Marc Bombard, third-base coach Bill Dancy and bench coach Gary Varsho …

Little rain, but Tigers-Yankees Game 2 postponed  —  NEW YORK — Justin Verlander was throwing in the outfield, Mike Mussina was nowhere to be seen and the fans in Yankee Stadium just wondered what was going on.  —  In a rainout with hardly any rain, Game 2 of the AL Division Series between …

Nats look to build, not adorn  —  Nationals look ahead to next season, and beyond  —  In a little more than a month, Oakland A's left-hander Barry Zito will be out on the free agent market, waiting for teams to bang on his door and line up with suitcases full of money.

Hunter has no explanation for miscue … MINNEAPOLIS — Fortunately for most of us, when we make costly, embarrassing mistakes, they aren't shown on national television.  Over and over and over again.  In slow motion.  With a broadcaster explaining in detail exactly how we screwed up.

Rothschild, Speier could be back with Cubs  —  While none of the Cubs coaches are expected to return when a new manager takes over, pitching coach Larry Rothschild and third base coach Chris Speier aren't completely out of the picture.  —  Rothschild could be Lou Piniella's choice …

Ellis fractures finger in Game 2 win  —  Second baseman's status unknown, update on Thursday  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Already without their starting shortstop, the A's might have lost their starting second baseman in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday at the Metrodome.

Garner signs one-year extension  —  Skipper locked up through 2008; Hickey released  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros extended manager Phil Garner's contract on Wednesday, adding an additional year that will keep him as the club's skipper through 2008.  —  The Astros also announced …

Shapiro sets his goals for 2007  —  GM looks to revamp the 'pen and improve infield defense  —  CLEVELAND — General manager Mark Shapiro delayed his press conference on Tuesday until the jam on the television sorted itself out.  —  The jam was of Johan Santana's making.

Despite another bad record, McClatchy to continue running Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) -Kevin McClatchy will remain as the Pittsburgh Pirates' chief executive officer and managing general partner, even though the franchise hasn't had a winning season since he took control in 1996.