Pettitte, Joba pitch Yankees to win  —  Sweep averted in Baltimore with a little help from Giambi  —  BALTIMORE — The bullpen gates swung open for the ninth inning, and Mariano Rivera coasted across the outfield, the same graceful gait the Yankees closer has showcased for years.

Rare Signs of Life Uncovered at Shea  —  Among the criticisms of the Mets in this inconsistent season is that they lack a reliable bullpen and that their hitters do not compete with tenacity when trailing in late innings.  —  Neither rap was valid Wednesday night after Fernando Tatis drove home …

Bedard 2-hits Red Sox in 7, M's win 1-0  —  SEATTLE (AP)—Fastballs that flew past Boston's flailing bats.  Curves sharp enough to break the will of the Red Sox.  Then, diving cut fastballs and tricky changeups.  —  So this is why Seattle traded five players to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.

The Voice of God  —  Discussing faith, family and Derek Jeter with longtime Yankee Stadium announcer Bob Sheppard  —  Anyone who has attended a Yankee's home game since the mid-twentieth century has been greeted by the unique—and now legendary—style of player introductions given over the stadium's public address system:

Pedro almost as sharp as Price in Class A start  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets ace Pedro Martinez pitched six sharp innings in a Class A start Wednesday night, staying on track to return to the majors next week.  —  The three-time Cy Young winner strained his left hamstring …

Reds send slumping Patterson down to minors … CINCINNATI (AP) — Slumping Reds center fielder Corey Patterson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville Wednesday, with Cincinnati hoping he will work the kinks out of his swing.  —  Patterson pinch hit and flied out Tuesday night in a 9-6 win over Pittsburgh …

Galarraga, Thames lead Tigers by Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Armando Galarraga came within two outs of his first complete game and shutout in the majors, Marcus Thames hit two homers and the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

Diamondbacks' Davis ripped in homecoming  —  PHOENIX (AP)—Doug Davis said the emotion didn't get to him Wednesday night.  The San Francisco batters sure did.  —  Ray Durham drove in four runs with a solo homer and a three-run single and the Giants spoiled Davis' homecoming with an 11-3 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Display by Angels, City Hall is All-Star caliber  —  Team owner Arte Moreno and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle sit side by side during announcement of the 2010 game being awarded to the club.  —  The Angels were for sale, and two of the bidders dropped by to check out the stadium, on the same day.

Bullpen's Amazin' night adds to sense of relief  —  What a difference a couple of days - and a nearly unhittable bullpen - can make for the Mets.  —  Following Monday night's loss to the Marlins, all the talk was centered on Willie Randolph's future and whether the Mets were about to sink into the abyss.

Baek for Wells  —  This is precisely why this forum exists!  —  I've gotten a number of questions/comments about this trade already, so I'll provide a quick view into our thinking.  —  Cha Seung Baek is a 6'4", 225 lb, 28-year old (turns 29 tomorrow) RHP from Pusan, Korea.

Some familiar faces still looking for work … Craig Biggio left Major League Baseball on his own terms.  He joined the 3,000-hit club last June, took a farewell tour with the Astros and retired at the end of the 2007 season.  Now he's ready to embrace a new role as coach of his son Conor's baseball team …