After Loss, Mets Fall Into Wild-Card Tie  —  If what happened during the ninth inning of the Mets' game Wednesday night seemed familiar, that's because it was.  In each of the previous four innings — not to mention countless times this month, this year — they had opportunities to score a few runs …

It's Cashman's Move; the Yankees Want Him Back  —  TORONTO — Brian Cashman spent part of his day Wednesday as the good organizational soldier, representing the Yankees at a news conference to announce a six-year partnership with the Class AA Trenton Thunder.

White Sox lead down to half-game  —  South Siders now just 1-7 at Metrodome this season  —  MINNEAPOLIS — It was Ozzie Guillen who dubbed the Twins as “piranhas” during the 2006 season because of the way they do in the opposition through 1,000 little bites.

Yankees out, but Torre not spiteful  —  LOS ANGELES — There is no sense of satisfaction, and certainly no vindictiveness, says Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, but the facts do the talking for him.  —  The New York Yankees, for the first time in 13 years, will be home for the playoffs.

J.T. Snow will retire as a Giant  —  (09-24) 22:12 PDT San Francisco — Imagine J.T. Snow's emotions when he takes first base Saturday night as a member of the Giants' starting lineup.  Those who want to see him play against the Dodgers, however, will be disappointed.

Pettitte may have thrown last pitch in pinstripes  —  TORONTO - Andy Pettitte has battled a sore shoulder for almost two months, grinding his way through his starts every five days as the Yankees tried to make an improbable playoff run.  —  With those playoff hopes no longer a factor …

Wrong Myers shows up as Phillies fall  —  Despite loss, Philadelphia doesn't lose ground in NL East  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Brett Myers of July and August was the one the Phillies needed on the mound Wednesday night.  —  That was the pitcher who seemed unhittable at times and was almost always determined to pitch a complete game.

Senators batting champ Vernon dies at age 90 … Mickey Vernon, who batted .286 over 20 big league seasons, including two batting titles for the Washington Senators, died Wednesday afternoon at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, Pa., six days after suffering a stroke.

Dodgers clinch tie for division title  —  Victory over Padres means they are one win, or one Arizona loss, from winning the West outright.  —  The closer the Dodgers move to the NL West title, the louder the ballpark becomes.  —  What started as scattered applause when the video scoreboard …

Salt In The Wound  —  FROM Brian Costello I had an interesting perspective for the end of the Mets-Cubs game tonight and thought Mets fans might find it interesting.  I watched the end of the game in the Braves' clubhouse in Philadelphia....  I'm here covering the Phillies side of the NL East chase …

Pirates, Alvarez sign; Alvarez asks Pittsburgh to ‘judge me as the professional player that I am now’  —  MILWAUKEE — It is official.  Contract signed.  Grievance done.  —  All over, except for playing baseball.  —  Updates will be placed here after the conference call, which will start around 6:30 your time.

Drew makes his return for Sox  —  The big news with the Red Sox today is about a guy who is playing, not those who have the night off.  —  J.D. Drew will make his return after missing five weeks because of back problems.  Drew had several setbacks in his bid to return …

Reynolds fans to tie strikeout mark  —  Third baseman matches record set by Phillies' Howard in '07  —  ST. LOUIS — D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds tied the record for most strikeouts in a season when he fanned for the 199th time this year in the second inning against the Cardinals on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.

CC, Crew draw even in Wild Card chase  —  Lefty strikes out 11; Brewers now tied with Mets in standings  —  MILWAUKEE — CC Sabathia does not believe he is doing anything extraordinary for the Brewers and their long-suffering fans.  —  It only appears that way.

Before long, A-Rod will escape from New York  —  Ian O'Connor is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry,” which Kirkus Reviews calls an “exemplary sports history.”  His Web site is www.ian-oconnor.com.

Tigers' Todd Jones announces retirement  —  Todd Jones, who represented the best and most challenged times in recent Tigers history, has decided to retire at age 40.  —  Jones made the announcement today in his weekly column for the Sporting News.  —  “So this is it,” Jones wrote.