Pitching propels Tigers past Yankees  —  RAIN-DELAYED SERIES TIED 1-1  —  NEW YORK - The last pitch from Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya whizzed by the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez at 101 mph, his swing a futile hack.  —  As the boos tumbled from above, Rodriguez leaned …

Glavine Pitches Like an Ace, Small Ball Does the Rest  —  José Reyes, who was 1 for 3 with a walk, after he hit a single in the sixth inning.  Reyes also had two runs batted in.  —  As the Mets started confronting life without Pedro Martínez and Orlando Hernández, a 290-game winner lurked in the background.

Rangers players aren't surprised  —  Players say they had a feeling Showalter's firing was coming  —  ARLINGTON - Hours after Buck Showalter was fired Wednesday morning, Rangers players spoke volumes about their relationship with him.  They did it with what they didn't say.

Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic  —  Q: Fred-dy!  Fred-dy!  —  David Sculley of Sewickley  —  KOVACEVIC: Yeah, this just in: Freddy Sanchez is good.  —  Welcome, one and all, to the season-ending Q&A — a little longer than usual, so that it can be spread over several of the next few Fridays …

BOSS NOT IMPRESSED BY METS  —  An ornery George Steinbrenner stormed out of Yankee Stadium shortly after the Yankees game against the Tigers was postponed last night and promptly knocked the league and his team's crosstown rivals.  —  Steinbrenner was asked if he was happy the Mets won …

The diary: Dodgers-Mets  —  Note: For the first time in five years, I get to kick back and watch the baseball playoffs.  In October 2002, I was switching jobs and moving from Boston to L.A. In October 2003, I was working 14 hours a day for Kimmel's show.  In October 2004, the Red Sox overpowered everything else.

Bowden knows how to pick 'em - baseball players, that is  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden once helped turn a would-be major leaguer into a Heisman Trophy winner.  —  Bowden isn't likely to get that chance with a certain other baseball player - Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer.

Popgun Padres down to last gasp  —  Offense again MIA as Friars fall 2-0; head to St. Louis trying to avoid sweep  —  SAN DIEGO - Getting out of September intact was the hard part for the St. Louis Cardinals, who clinched a division title while stuck in reverse.  —  And the San Diego Padres?

Notes: Brewers claim Balfour from Reds  —  Righty spent 2005 and much of '06 recovering from surgery  —  SAN DIEGO — The Brewers have begun stocking arms for 2007, claiming right-hander Grant Balfour off waivers from Cincinnati on Thursday.  —  Balfour, who turns 29 in December …

After wife's request, charge dropped vs. Phils' Myers  —  BOSTON — An abuse charge against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers was dismissed Thursday after his wife said she did not want her husband prosecuted for hitting her in the face during an argument near Fenway Park.

Judge: Bonds' trainer to be freed from prison  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge ordered Barry Bonds' personal trainer released from prison Thursday, blaming a legal "snafu."  —  U.S. District Judge William Alsup said Greg Anderson must be freed because a federal appeals court …

New TBS comedy visits Wrigley Field  —  "My Boys" will feature a sports writer who covers the Cubs  —  CHICAGO — A new TV series about a sports reporter from Chicago shot its final show of the season at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, and the cast was thrilled to be able to step on the field.

Pirates take Santos, Edwards off 40-man roster  —  Sanchez unanimous winner of local Clemente Award  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates today began their offseason paring of the 40-man roster by removing starter Victor Santos and utilityman Mike Edwards.