Rays send message with trade  —  Golly, I sure didn't see this one coming:  —  The Los Angeles Angels, looking to bolster their rotation for the last five weeks of the season and in October, acquired leftt-hander Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.  —  “This is a surprise.

Swisher learning the ropes in outfield  —  New York (80-48) vs. Chicago (64-65), 1:05 p.m. ET  —  NEW YORK — Long before Robinson Cano launched a game-winning pellet into the sky over Yankee Stadium on Friday night, Nick Swisher made it possible by unloading a slippery seed to home plate with deadly accuracy.

The reason isn't clear, but Manny Ramirez isn't right  —  (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images / August 27)  —  The Dodgers slugger is missing in action again in a loss at Cincinnati.  —  He used to own this kind of moment, circling it with his giant swing, swarming it with his giant smile.

Sox rally round Jason Varitek play  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  Jason Varitek is considered the rock of the Red Sox [team stats] for his intangibles.  —  Last night that label applied literally.  —  With the Blue Jays about to score the go-ahead run …

Wilpon Addresses Doubts Over Madoff Losses and Mets  —  Fred Wilpon, the Mets' principal owner, tried Friday to temper concerns that he and his team had been scarred financially by the losses caused by a vast Ponzi scheme run by his former friend Bernard L. Madoff.  He said he had no intention of selling the team.

Steinbrenner Faces Suit Over Idea for YES  —  A former president of Madison Square Garden says that it was his idea to create what became the Yankees-run YES Network, and on Friday he sued George Steinbrenner, the team's principal owner, in Manhattan federal court for fraud and breach of contract.

Russell benches Doumit in Pirates' 8-6 loss  —  Duke shelled for seven runs in 19th loss in a row at Miller Park  —  MILWAUKEE — What happened on the field in the Pirates' 8-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers was not really the news last night, and not just because it resurrected …

Twins Designate R.A. Dickey For Assignment  —  According LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have designated right-hander R.A. Dickey for assignment in order to clear roster space for newly acquired reliever Ron Mahay.  —  Dickey, a knuckleballer who turns 35 in October …

Howard homers twice to lead Phils to rainy win against Braves  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Even the rain can't stop Ryan Howard (FSY), especially this time of year.  —  Howard homered twice during a perfect night at the plate, Jamie Moyer (FSY) pitched effectively in relief of Pedro Martinez …

Derek Jeter: Every-day player now; Yankees legend forever … For the Pocono Record  —  NEW YORK — They are all in awe of him.  —  Guys like Mariano Rivera.  The best closer in the history of baseball.  —  And Andy Pettitte.  Gutsy and tough with perhaps a few more years left in his left arm.

Pujols ends game with fireworks  —  The Cardinals celebrate with a win over the Nationals after Albert Pujols homers on a fly ball to left field in the bottom of the 9th.  The cardinals win 3-2 during Friday night's game at Busch Stadium.  (Dawn Majors/P-D)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

No deal yet on contract extension for Royals GM Moore  —  The Royals privately confirm talks are under way regarding a contract extension for general manager Dayton Moore, but multiple club sources — including Moore — dismissed online reports that a deal is done.  —  Moore's current contract runs through the 2010 season.