Astros fire manager Garner, GM Purpura  —  HOUSTON — Less than two years ago, the Houston Astros were celebrating their first National League pennant.  On Monday, they were starting over.  —  Manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura were fired by owner Drayton McLane …

Blue Monday for M's  —  Lackey's shutout puts Angels up three games in West  —  The Mariners have done many amazing things to get themselves into the pennant race.  —  What they haven't done is find a way to solve the mystery that is John Lackey.  —  The Los Angeles Angels came …

Back in good standing: Sox relish opportunity for control of AL East  —  NEW YORK - It has been 12 years since the geniuses of baseball have been called upon to assign a "magic number" to the Red Sox [team stats]' run at the American League East crown.  —  But if the next three games …

Tigers chase Mussina, rout Yankees 16-0  —  DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander found his groove on the mound, and the Detroit Tigers rediscovered their stroke at the plate.  —  Verlander shut down the New York Yankees with his best stuff since throwing a no-hitter while Detroit roughed …

Utley makes impact in Phillies victory  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chase Utley got a standing ovation, a curtain call and heard "M-V-P" chants.  —  Not a bad way to return from the disabled list.  —  Utley had three hits, including a solo homer, in his first game since having hand surgery one month ago …

Tribe turns triple play vs. Twins  —  Indians complete feat for first time in 15 years  —  CLEVELAND — It's the Indians' own little version of the "Hail Mary" — the last play of practice.  —  Every day, as batting practice is winding down and the Tribe is about to trot back into the clubhouse …

Did you hear the story about Pedroia?  —  This entry was posted on 8/26/2007 2:08 PM and is filed under uncategorized.  —  Arizona State University baseball coach Pat Murphy has kept the great Sun Devils tradition alive over the last 13 years that he's headed the program …

Presidential hopeful Giuliani weighs in on Bonds' record  —  DETROIT (AP) -Rudy Giuliani wants to be president, but he still thinks like a prosecutor when it comes to Barry Bonds.  —  Giuliani was asked about Bonds' controversial pursuit of the career home-run record while attending Monday …

Baseball directs umps to get games in  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball might have several more late shows as sequels to last week's 3 a.m. thriller between the New York Yankees and Tigers.  —  Mike Port, major league baseball's vice president of umpiring, said the game was started …

What the VORP?  —  Performing under pressure a big factor in MVP debate  —  Regarding your NL MVP candidates, how about those two guys in Florida?  Yes, the Marlins are not in playoff contention, but it's hard to ignore Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera, especially considering they're first and second …

Wright Makes a Push for MVP Consideration With Hot Streak  —  At the beginning of last night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, David Wright had reached base in 14 of his last 18 trips to the plate, impressive enough without considering that Jake Peavy and Brad Penny …