Yankees' Hopes Are Going, Going ...  The grand slam exploded like a gunshot Wednesday night, tearing out the guts of even the most naïve believers in the 2008 Yankees.  —  The eighth-inning bullet by Dustin Pedroia was like the opening scene of a documentary, many years from now …

PAVANO AVAILABLE TO OTHER TEAMS AFTER ONE START  —  Could “The Idle” be moving?  —  Carl “American Idle” Pavano is scheduled to start tomorrow night against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium - unless another team wants him.  —  The Post has learned Pavano was put on waivers within …

Sox on Mariotti's split: 'It's about time'  —  BALTIMORE — Word of Jay Mariotti's split with the Chicago Sun-Times reached the White Sox' clubhouse minutes after their victory Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, and the reaction could be heard outside.

Phils lose game, ground in NL East  —  Bullpen allows Mets to stage a comeback of their own  —  PHILADELPHIA — Anyone looking for a clear-cut National League East favorite to emerge from this week's Phillies-Mets games at Citizens Bank Park may have to wait a little longer.

Ramirez's flub: ‘It happens’  —  ATLANTA - By Wednesday afternoon, Hanley Ramirez was more willing to discuss his ninth-inning trouble on a potentially game-ending double-play ball the night before.  —  But only slightly.  —  Asked if the ball simply got stuck in his glove before he could throw to first …

Angels looking for a backup shortstop  —  David Eckstein is among those mentioned for depth at the position.  —  Five days before Monday's trade deadline, the Angels continue to pursue a veteran shortstop as insurance in case Erick Aybar is injured.  —  The team has targeted three Toronto players …

Technology worthy for instant replay  —  Video headquarters equipped for making clear, efficient calls  —  NEW YORK — The baseball, as it flew, cued everything around it into action.  Careening toward a formerly quiet corner of Yankee Stadium, it first forced two Orioles outfielders to converge …

Delgado for MVP?  —  Wow.  I can't believe I just typed that.  —  But with all the MVP debate focused on David Wright or Jose Reyes lately, look who just entered the discussion after smacking home runs No. 29 and 30 in last night's 6-3 comeback win over the Phillies.  Take a look at the numbers:

Game 133: Red Sox at Yankees  —  YANKEES (70-62)  —  RED SOX (76-55)  —  Mike Mussina (16-7, 3.45) vs. the Boston hitters.  —  Jon Lester (12-5, 3.49) vs. the New York hitters.  —  Notes: The Yankees start the day 10.5 games out in the division and seven out in the wild card. ...

Rollins again noticing Mets' celebrations  —  PHILADELPHIA - Don't look now, but it sounds as if the Phillies are acting like the fun police again.  When asked about Tuesday's inspired comeback win over the Mets, which involved erasing a 7- deficit, Jimmy Rollins made yet another reference …

About those Quad-A All-Stars  —  In Kevin's article he built an “All-Star” of minor leaguers over 30, and his off-the-cuff guess was 52 wins.  —  Let's get serious about that number, speculative as the entire enterprise is.  —  For hitters, I'm going to use their regular translation for all of 2008 …

Braves sign veteran Dessens  —  Hurler to add experience to young rotation for final month  —  ATLANTA — With four young pitchers in their starting rotation, the Braves have decided to add an older presence for the season's final month.  —  The Braves have agreed to terms with Elmer Dessens …

Boras challenges Pirates to ‘come clean’  —  The one down below looks to be getting overwhelmed with comments, which will make it tough to load.  So reload up here.  —  I will put updates here, too, but I can tell you now that actual reporting has taken up almost all of my time and probably will continue to do so through the evening.