Notes: Gonzalez learns as he goes  —  MIAMI — Fredi Gonzalez still remembers the insomnia as if it happened last night.  —  It was 1993, and the then-30-year-old Gonzalez was in his first year managing at Class A High Desert, a Florida Marlins affiliate at the time.

DELGADO INJURES LEFT KNEE  —  Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado said he hyperextended his left knee when chasing a foul pop near the first-base stands in the second inning of the Mets' 10-8 win over the Pirates last night.  —  Delgado stayed in the game but left before the bottom of the eighth.

Yankees Reach Deal With Top Pick  —  The Yankees and their first-round pick in this year's draft, the right-hander Andrew Brackman, reached agreement on a contract yesterday, hours before the Yankees would have lost his rights.  —  If Brackman and the Yankees had not worked out a deal by midnight …

McCarthy shut down for two weeks  —  Rangers right-hander to rest injured right shoulder blade  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers are shutting down pitcher Brandon McCarthy for at least two weeks because of a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade.  —  The injury could open a way for the Rangers …

Mellow dramatics  —  Looking for the knockout punch in the ninth, Red Sox go down swinging  —  It was starting to feel like old times at Fenway Park.  Not only were the Red Sox playing a rare weekday afternoon game, but the hallmark of the team over the last few seasons — late-inning comebacks — had returned to vogue in Boston.

Rockies acquire Ortiz as Cook headed to DL  —  The Rockies have taken a step to patch holes in their rotation by acquiring veteran right-hander Ramon Ortiz from Minnesota for minor-league infield prospect Matt Macri.  —  The rotation took another hit early today when right-hander Aaron Cook …

Outspoken, Sheffield Isn't Always Unfiltered  —  Gary Sheffield looked relaxed and in his environment.  He wore a Detroit Tigers T-shirt, he crossed his arms and stood in front of his locker in Cleveland like a preacher by his pulpit.  The words kept flowing, more opinions, more statements, more Sheffield.

Pineiro goes 7, lifts Cards past Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals' deal for Joel Pineiro didn't make much of a ripple at the trade deadline, but it's beginning to look like a key move that could help push the team back into contention in the National League Central.

Rays Sign No. 1 Overall Pick Price  —  No. 1 overall pick David Price has officially come to terms with the Devil Rays.  Price will receive a $5.6 million bonus as part of a six-year major league contract worth a guaranteed $8.5 million and possibly as much as $11.25 million.

Mets start and finish strong  —  Five-run innings thwart Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH - John Maine may be hitting a wall as his major-league pitching workload hits uncharted levels.  But a five-run lead before he took the mound Wednesday night helped offset any mid-August malaise.

Notes: Clubhouse tension mounts  —  Dodgers anxious to break out of month-long struggles  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers clubhouse was a noticeably tense place Wednesday.  —  Luis Gonzalez, as cooperative as they come, complained openly about the media's negativity in an apparent attempt …

A Few More Notes  —  A few quick items before I head off for some much-needed sleep . . .  • Another Scott Boras client signed late.  South Carolina righthander Wynn Pelzer (ninth round, Padres) signed for $190,000.  Pelzer fractured his left kneecap when he was struck by a line drive …

Yankees have no choice except to cry a Rivera  —  Bad as it was for the Yankees during those dark days of April, May and June when they had played themselves into a double-digit deficit, their one consolation was they at least had no reason to think about the dreaded, unspoken question …

Moustakas Signs For $4 Million  —  Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star just got word that Mike Moustakas signed with the Royals.  Moustakas will get a $4 million straight bonus.  —  Contributing: John Manuel.

Offerman charged with assault for bat attack  —  Offerman Arrested After Independent League Brawl  —  BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Former major league All-Star Jose Offerman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault after hitting the pitcher and catcher with his bat during an independent minor league game.