Nathan blows save as A's walk off  —  Twins miss chance to move into first place  —  OAKLAND — Twins closer Joe Nathan suffered his second blown save in five days on Saturday night.  Nathan gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to hand Minnesota a 3-2 loss to the A's at McAfee Coliseum.

Dodgers end eight-game slide  —  Ramirez homers twice in second straight four-hit performance  —  PHOENIX — Manny Ramirez had just pounded out four hits again, two of them homers.  He powered a 6-2 win that halted the Dodgers' losing streak at eight and trimmed the Diamondbacks' lead …

Chipper's 20th home run makes history  —  Jones becomes second to accomplish feat in first 14 seasons  —  WASHINGTON — Chipper Jones has consistently produced statistics that link him with Hall of Famers, and he now shares an accomplishment only previously enjoyed by the other great third baseman the Braves once employed.

Heilman's walk of shame  —  MIAMI - Aaron Heilman had been flawless against the Marlins this season.  Until Saturday night, when he gave up a run without even surrendering a hit.  —  Heilman, who hadn't worked since throwing 60 pitches over three scoreless frames in Tuesday's extra-inning loss …

Trips to the DL on the rise in MLB  —  Throughout the corridors of power, in the trainer's rooms and clubhouses, baseball people are puzzled about a recent rise in injuries, especially because a spike in trips to the disabled list over the last two years comes at a time when sports medicine …

Umpiring Gaffes Punctuate Rangers' Latest Defeat  —  You know why I have such an unspeakably hard time mustering much sympathy towards umpires (such as crew chief Jerry Layne) who are outspoken in their resistance to the idea of instant replay in Major League Baseball?

Brewers rough up reeling Pirates  —  Hart, Cameron go deep to back Suppan's solid start  —  PITTSBURGH — The Brewers locked the Pirates into a stranglehold early on Saturday night and didn't let go, beating the home team, 11-3, at PNC Park.  —  Milwaukee's 16-hit attack was in stark contrast …

Vizquel wants another year, here or in Japan  —  (08-30) 04:00 PDT Cincinnati —  Omar Vizquel would like to wear a Giants uniform next year, be it in San Francisco or maybe Tokyo.  The 41-year-old shortstop wants to play in 2009, and if he cannot find a job in the majors, he might look to the Far East.

Chamberlain ready to leave DL, rejoin Yankees … NEW YORK (AP) — Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game Saturday, saying he's ready to rejoin the Yankees for the stretch run.  —  On the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis, Chamberlain said he threw all of his pitches.