Halos top Yanks, clinch West title  —  The Los Angeles Angels clinched their fourth AL West title in five years, with Robb Quinlan hitting a two-run single yesterday in a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Anaheim, Calif.  —  Francisco Rodriguez earned his 56th save …

Brad Penny wants to be a starter for Dodgers again this season  —  The right-hander, activated from the disabled list, is used in relief against the Padres.  He's not sure of his future with the Dodgers.  —  SAN DIEGO — Activated from his second stint on the disabled list Wednesday …

Pedro Alvarez grievance hearing begins  —  NEW YORK — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was the leadoff witness Wednesday on the first day of testimony in a complicated grievance filed by the players' association after first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez refused to sign his contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mets hold on against pesky Nats  —  Hard-fought victory helps club gain a game in NL East  —  NEW YORK — The Mets demonstrated why they lead the National League East in the third and eighth innings, and the Nationals demonstrated why they are looking up to the rest of the division in the seventh on Wednesday night at Shea Stadium.

Reds-Brewers, Game 3  —  Sorry we're late getting this started but the Brewers made a player move right at the start of the game, claiming reliever Todd Coffey off waivers from Cincinnati and designating outfielder Laynce Nix for assignment.  —  I'll get back to that in a minute.  Let's get the game going:

Rays triumph over Red Sox in extras  —  Pena's three-run shot breaks tie in 14th, leads to series win  —  BOSTON — Thirteen innings had passed and the Rays and Red Sox remained deadlocked.  —  There appeared to be no end in sight with two outs in the top of the 14th and Mike Timlin pitching for Boston.

Lilly calms concerns, stifles Cards  —  Cubs retain 4 1/2-game edge in division behind lefty's gem  —  ST. LOUIS — Ted Lilly did not hear Lou Piniella's rant after Tuesday's game, but the left-hander got the message.  —  Lilly pitched eight solid innings and survived a head-on collision …

Giants stun Arizona in 9th, finish sweep  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Two weeks ago the Arizona Diamondbacks seemed a lock to make it to the postseason.  Now just finishing the year with a .500 record may be a struggle.  —  One day after losing to San Francisco in the ninth inning …

Young Texas Rangers pitchers' experience may pay off  —  When the Rangers' season comes to an end in three weeks, those evaluating the club would be wise to focus on one number.  —  Can't place the number for sure just yet, but it will be between 60-65.  —  It is the number of starts …

The High School Years  —  Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, a weekly guest on Mohegan Sun's Sports Tonight (Weeknights at 6:30 & 10pm) on Comcast SportsNet, shows some of his other talents in this video provided by his parents, Sheila and John.  —  Gary Tanguay has the story of how this all went …

Hurricane Ike could alter Friday plans  —  Game against Cubs may be moved up to start at 1:05 p.m. CT  —  HOUSTON — The Astros have been out of town during most weather-related disasters that have either hit or threatened to hit the Houston area, but such is not the case this time, as Hurricane Ike gets closer to the Bayou City.

Baseball comes together again for 9/11  —  Special ceremonies, charitable donations to mark occasion  —  In the book, “Love, Greg & Lauren,” there are at least 13 references to baseball.  It is one way Greg Manning talked to his wife, Lauren, while she was in a coma and then during …

Angels' Torii Hunter, Yankees' Ivan Rodriguez suspended two games  —  Baseball official in charge of discipline cites both players for ‘violent and inappropriate actions’ during incident in Monday's game in Anaheim.  —  Torii Hunter, saying “if you do the crime, you've got to do the time …