CARELESS CANO IS REAL CULPRIT  —  THE charade is over.  Just like the parades that ended after the 2000 season.  —  It was fitting that the Yankees turned sure victory into defeat yesterday when Robinson Cano made a lazy, backhanded flip on what should have been a double-play ball …

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.

Rays' Wheeler earns respect as stand-in closer  —  ST. PETERSBURG — When RHP Troy Percival was placed on the disabled list in mid August, manager Joe Maddon said he planned to use a closer-by-committee approach, based on particular matchups.  —  But throughout a recent stretch of close games …

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.

Dodgers' Kent could face early end to career  —  PHOENIX - Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent, a five-time All-Star, former National League Most Valuable Player and almost-certain future Hall of Famer, might have played his last game in the major leagues.  —  Kent was sent back to Los Angeles …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.