Ike postpones two Cubs-Astros games  —  HOUSTON — Games on Friday and Saturday between the Astros and Cubs at Minute Maid Park were postponed on Thursday due to the expected arrival of Hurricane Ike.  —  “We feel that we will [play this weekend],” club owner Drayton McLane said earlier, when only Friday's game had been called.

Hank Steinbrenner knows Yanks made mistakes  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hank Steinbrenner is disappointed the New York Yankees could be eliminated from postseason play during Yankee Stadium's final homestand.  —  “We're going to have to look at what has been done wrong over the last five years …

Offseason Outlook: Kansas City Royals  —  By Tim Dierkes [September 11 at 3:48pm CST]  —  Next up in our offseason outlook series, the Royals.  Here's how they set up for 2009:  —  C - John Buck - $2.2MM+  —  C - Brayan Pena - $400K  —  1B - Kila Ka'aihue - $400K  —  2B - Alberto Callaspo - $400K

Tazawa eyes place in major leagues  —  Right-hander Junichi Tazawa, who helped Nippon Oil to its first title in 13 years at the national corporate baseball tournament that ended Tuesday, will try to sign with a major league club without playing in Japan, baseball sources said Wednesday.

Morning Extras: I'm Tired of the Chase  —  I'm tired of this.  I'm tired of having to come up with some silver lining for the next two and a half weeks.  I'm tired of waking up and seeing the Mets boxscore and wondering if it's even possible to catch a team that has gotten better after each pitcher goes down for the season.

Padres claim right-handed pitcher Scott Patterson off outright waivers from the New York Yankees  —  Club transfers catcher Michael Barrett to the 60-day disabled list  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres today claimed right-handed pitcher Scott Patterson off outright waivers …

Plan in motion to overhaul Cano's swing  —  Second baseman to work with Long in offseason on hitting  —  NEW YORK — Robinson Cano hears the whispers, even if he refuses to look over his shoulder.  To do so would only compound the disappointment the Yankees second baseman fights each day.

Prospectus Hit and Run  —  The Manny Show  —  Earlier this summer, for a research project, I had occasion to review the career of former Dodger slugger Pedro Guerrero, a favorite player of my youth.  Guerrero spent the first few years of his major league career—or 1978-1980 …

Rockies can forget about contending  —  Atlanta roughs up relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino, requiring Colorado to go 15-1 just to finish with a winning record.  —  The Denver Post  —  ATLANTA — General manager Dan O'Dowd's brutal honesty about the Rockies last week appeared equal parts assessment and message.

Earliest reference to baseball found in England  —  LONDON — Baseball is as American as ... tea and crumpets?  —  That may be case, according to a diary uncovered in southern England last year but only now being made public.  —  Julian Pooley, the manager of the Surrey History Centre …

A's 2B Ellis to miss rest of season  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis will miss the rest of the season and could be headed for surgery to fix a shoulder injury that has taken longer to heal than initially expected.  —  It's especially disappointing for Ellis considering …

Carlos Delgado proving to be most valuable Met  —  Albert Pujols and Carlos Delgado are vying for the NL MVP this season ...  As if the high associated with being in first place in the second week of September isn't enough to keep their juices flowing with every pitch and every at-bat …