Chris Duncan, player acquired for Julio Lugo, is released  —  The man the Red Sox acquired in the Julio Lugo trade, outfielder Chris Duncan, has been released after less than a month with Boston.  —  Duncan, who is playing with Triple-A Pawtucket, was told of his release after flying out to right field to end tonight's game.

Padres get cash for Gaudin ...  SAN DIEGO - General manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday that the Padres will take cash considerations, believed to be $100,000, as compensation for the August 7 deal that sent him to the New York Yankees.  —  The Padres had the option of cash considerations …

ThinkCure! event set for this weekend  —  Fans can donate to charity via ‘Radiotelewebethon’  —  LOS ANGELES — This weekend Dodgers fans will have the chance to contribute to a good cause and secure Dodgers memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  —  The Dodgers' second annual ThinkCure!

SHEFF AND METS AT ODDS  —  Gary Sheffield asked the Mets for a contract extension, the club rejected the oveture and now Sheffield has threatened to leave the team and head home, two sources told the Post.  —  As of 6:30 p.m., one of the sources said, Mets officials and Sheffield were in discussions on how to move forward.

Wagner Activated, Hernandez Released  —  The Mets have activated Billy Wagner from the 60 day disabled list.  —  To make room for Wagner, the Mets have released Livan Hernandez.  —  Hernandez was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA for the Mets in 2009, but posted a 7.33 ERA in July and an 11.30 ERA in August.

Yankees Still Have Something to Prove in Boston  —  BOSTON - The Yankees are 76-45, too many games over .500 to be a fluke.  This is easily their best team in several years, and the rough patches in their schedule - the interleague games in June, the series in Anaheim in July - have been quickly followed by prolonged dominance.

Baseball roundup: Dodgers 7, Cubs 2  —  NL ROUNDUP  —  Dodgers 7, Cubs 2 — Russell Martin broke open a 2-2 game with a sixth-inning grand slam to lead host Los Angeles past Chicago.  —  Phillies 12, Diamondbacks 3 — Jayson Werth hit his fourth homer in three games …

Rumblings and Grumblings: Dangerous closer issues among contenders  —  Several contenders are heading down the stretch with unreliable closer situations  —  It isn't necessarily true that to win a World Series you need a dominant closer.  —  What is necessarily true, though …

Teixeira to visit ‘Late Show With David Letterman’  —  NEW YORK YANKEES ALL-STAR FIRST BASEMAN MARK TEIXEIRA MAKES HIS FIRST VISIT TO CBS'S “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN,” MONDAY, AUGUST 24  —  Teixeira to Also Participate in Outdoor Batting Demonstration During the Broadcast

Joba fine with the Rules  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - Perhaps it's the unwritten code of the Joba Rules - the part about getting Joba Chamberlain into October, and letting him loose.  —  “I think when one training wheel is off, the other one might be off at that time,” Chamberlain said Wednes-day afternoon …

Tigers score twice in ninth, rally to down Mariners … DETROIT(AP) The Detroit Tigers ‘ moving truck was backed up to the clubhouse door.  —  The Tigers only wish they could pack some Comerica Park momentum with them.  —  Clete Thomas ’ two-out, RBI single capped a two-run rally …

The Angels and Pythag  —  More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP  —  The Angels are once again overachieving and are on top the AL West.  —  Browse more photos »  —  If you'll head over to Halo's Heaven and search for “Pythag”, you'll be greeted with much disdain for the word.

Kawakami outpitches Santana in Braves' 3-2 win  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Kenshin Kawakami (FSY) is getting used to taking on the best pitcher opposing teams can offer.  Roy Halladay (FSY), Clayton Kershaw (FSY), Johan Santana (FSY)— stack 'em up for a 34-year-old rookie who sure doesn't get intimidated very easily.