Cubs' Friday, Saturday games postponed due to Ike  —  ST. LOUIS — The Cubs' games Friday and Saturday against the Houston Astros have been postponed because of Hurricane Ike, but the tentative plan is to get the series in Sunday and Monday in Houston.  —  Monday originally was scheduled as a day off for both teams.

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.

Twins tripped up in 10th vs. Royals  —  Liriano dominant across eight innings, strikes out six  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Coming off their recent disappointing 14-game road trip in which they won just five games, the Twins had a simple mission: To take advantage of the six games that awaited …

Marcum, Blue Jays Beat White Sox Again  —  CHICAGO — Shaun Marcum pitched effectively for 7 1-3 innings and the Toronto Blue Jays broke a scoreless tie with six runs in the eighth Thursday night in beating the Chicago White Sox 6-4 for their 11th win in 12 games.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Phils gain on East, Wild Card leaders  —  Moyer notches 14th victory; Howard belts 43rd home run  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer demanded the ball and Ryan Howard made one vanish.  —  With that, the Phillies made progress on the National League Wild Card side of a two-pronged playoff attack …

MEANINGLESS STADIUM SENDOFF ON TAP FOR YANKEES  —  ANAHEIM - Aura and Mystique have been replaced by Blind Faith.  —  And, no Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood aren't reuniting for a Yankee Stadium gig.  —  With his team on the verge of being eliminated and facing the final homestand …

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 …

K-Rod ties Thigpen record with 57th save  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—With the Los Angeles Angels cruising along with a 7-0 lead after seven innings, Francisco Rodriguez was kicking back in the bullpen, figuring he wouldn't get his chance to tie a record.  —  Then Seattle scored three runs in the eighth …