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.

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.

Pierzynski Riles Up Fans of Team He Once Ignited  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Something about A. J. Pierzynski, the former Minnesota Twins catcher who is completing his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox, brings out a certain reaction at the Metrodome.  Each time the bleached-blond Pierzynski …

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.

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.

Francona: Drew will start tonight  —  When the Red Sox take the field against the Cleveland Indians tonight at Fenway Park, J.D. Drew will be in the lineup for the first time since Aug. 17.  —  Manager Terry Francona revealed this afternoon during his weekly interview with the …

Tigers' Todd Jones to announce retirement  —  After 16 seasons, 319 saves and approximately 250 columns for Sporting News, Todd Jones is retiring from baseball.  —  Jones, who writes about his decision to call it quits in the latest issue of Sporting News magazine, is expected …

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.

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 …

postGame: Cubs 9 Mets 6  —  The Mets lost to the Cubs by the score of 9 to 6 in 10 innings tonight at Shea Stadium.  —  For a recap, boxscore and stats, click here.  —  I'm beginning to get sick to my stomach, and I think it's from motion sickness.  Seriously, I am emotionally dizzy …

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.

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 …

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.

Pettitte shut down, “kids” to play some, Mussina expected to pitch Sunday  —  Andy Pettitte will not start Saturday.  Pettitte's left shoulder has been “barking” for some time, and since they are out of it, he will be shut down.  He had an MRI done at the start of the last homestand and nothing was found to be structurally wrong.

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 …