Niese cruises, Mets shut out Braves to earn split  —  Rookie Jonathon Niese threw eight scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Braves, 5-0, to earn a doubleheader split.  (Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr. / September 13, 2008)  —  When you combine what happened to the Mets last September …

Girardi is as delusional as ever  —  Another day, another couple of games mercifully knocked off the schedule for the Yankees, who'd like nothing more than a fast, under-the-radar exit to 2009.  But it won't be that easy for the $200 million Bombers, who are doing the equivalent of a September perp walk.

Astros-Cubs games moved to Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike  —  MILWAUKEE — With Hurricane Ike causing severe weather conditions throughout the Gulf Coast, Major League Baseball has moved two games between the Astros and Cubs to Miller Park.  The series will include a single game tomorrow …

Fire Away  —  Tim Lincecum threw 138 pitches against San Diego last night.  —  Let me make this as clear as I possibly can.  —  That is utterly, completely, and colossally reckless, stupid, arrogant, and just plain lazy.  Send in all the nasty emails calling me a geek who's never played you like.

Knight gets another day on the hill  —  Brandon Knight is expected to get a spot start on Wednesday in Washington, the Daily News has learned.  The void was created because Friday's rainout pushed Johan Santana to Saturday's matinee and prevents him from starting that game in D.C.

Phils may join offseason pursuit of CC  —  Brewers lefty credits Manuel with believing in him early on  —  PHILADELPHIA — Could there be a red-pinstriped No. 52 jersey waiting for CC Sabathia next season?  —  Go ahead and dream, Phillies fans.  At this point, anything is possible.

Stone to Sox TV, Jackson offered radio  —  Team looking to swap broadcast analysts  —  First it was “Hawk and Wimpy.”  Then “Hawk and D.J.”  —  Beginning in 2009 it will be “Hawk and Stoney.”  —  The White Sox announced Saturday that Steve Stone has signed a six-year deal …

K-Rod nabs single-season saves mark  —  Angels closer breaks Thigpen's 18-year record with No. 58  —  ANAHEIM — With a sellout crowd of 43,757 on its feet and flashbulbs circulating through Angel Stadium to freeze the moment in time, Francisco Rodriguez calmly did what he has done 57 times before Saturday night.

Kershaw cruises in Dodgers' win  —  Rookie left-hander strikes out seven in six innings vs. Rockies  —  DENVER — Clayton Kershaw, No. 22, lockers on the road next to Derek Lowe, No. 23.  But their approach to pitching in Coors Field is a million miles apart.

Is Adrian Beltre a third option for Dodgers?  —  The third baseman, who had a career year in L.A. in 2004, could be made available in a trade by rebuilding Mariners.  He says he'd like to rejoin Dodgers, who may need help at the position.  —  I don't know?  He's on third