The Case for Derek Jeter, MVP  —  In the movie industry, many recipients get an Oscar years after they really ­deserve one, and often as a kind of lifetime achievement award.  Paul Newman, for ­instance, took one home in 1987 for his performance in “The Color of Money,” …

Misch … DENVER(AP) David Wright drove in three runs in his second start since coming off the disabled list and the New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 on Thursday.  —  Pat Misch pitched seven solid innings to earn his first major league win, slicing the Rockies' NL wild-card lead to a half-game over San Francisco.

Meet Baseball's Chattiest TV Announcers  —  If it seems like your baseball team's play-by-play man jabbers endlessly at 1,000 words a minute, well, he doesn't.  But the St. Louis Cardinals' Dan McLaughlin comes closer than most of his peers, talking at an estimated 109.9 words every 60 seconds.

Pedro outduels Lincecum as Phillies edge Giants 2-1  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez (FSY) tossed seven impressive innings to outpitch Tim Lincecum (FSY), Ryan Howard (FSY) doubled in the tiebreaking run and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Thursday night.

New York Mets' future looks downright gloomy  —  Trading Jose Reyes could be a huge step toward jump-starting moribund franchise  —  Their season hasn't just been a disappointment.  It's been a Freddy Krueger movie.  —  But at least there's one good thing those fast-sinking New York Mets can say about their 2009 horror show:

Rays avoid collapse, beat Red Sox 8-5  —  Buzz up!  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays keep finding ways to hang in the AL playoff race.  —  “You're not always going to win.  It's not always going to be an oil painting,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday night …

CC named AL's best August pitcher  —  Yankees lefty unbeaten during historically strong month  —  Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.  —  In six starts last month, Sabathia posted a perfect 5- record with a 2.64 ERA while leading …

Yankees' Rivera feels OK, no date for next game  —  Buzz up!  —  TORONTO (AP)—Injured New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera  —  said his sore left groin felt fine after a light workout Thursday, and he hopes to soon pitch off a bullpen mound.  —  Rivera threw in the outfield before a night game against Toronto.

Cameron ‘willing to make a sacrifice’ to stay in Milwaukee  —  Impending free agent Mike Cameron said yesterday that he'd like to remain in Milwaukee beyond this season and “would be willing to make a sacrifice to make that happen.”  —  Cameron is earning $10 million this season and would fetch …

Jays shut down Rzepczynski for season  —  Rookie left-hander has reached allotted innings total  —  TORONTO — Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester, N.H., is a lot closer to Boston's Fenway Park, about an hour's drive, than it is to Rogers Centre.  —  But Marc Rzepczynski was a lot closer …

Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  Tensions are flaring in the Florida clubhouse as the team fades from the playoff race.  —  The Marlins held a closed-door meeting Wednesday after All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez got into a shouting match with second baseman Dan Uggla …

Phillies make moves, Condrey update  —  Lefthander Antonio Bastardo, 23, was activated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Double A Reading.  —  To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated righthander Steven Register for assignment.

Harper: Cy of relief for Mariano  —  BALTIMORE - If this were the Oscars, where a long career of unrewarded greatness has been known to help put a deserving nominee over the top, Mariano Rivera would be a shoo-in this season to win his first Cy Young Award.  —  In baseball, however …

A's activate Crosby from disabled list  —  Right-hander Meloan claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh  —  OAKLAND — The A's made a pair of moves Wednesday in advance of the finale of a three-game series against the visiting Royals, activating infielder Bobby Crosby from the 15-day disabled list …

Byrnes nominated for Clemente Award  —  D-backs outfielder earns nod through work in community  —  LOS ANGELES — It has been a disappointing season on the field for Eric Byrnes.  —  Injuries and struggles at the plate have rendered him unproductive, but off the field, Byrnes is still finding a way to contribute.

MLBTR Looking For Writers  —  Would you like to join the MLB Trade Rumors team?  We are looking to add a couple of writers.  The position pays on an hourly basis.  The criteria:  — Strong evening availability - typically 5-10pm CST shifts.  Weekday daytime availability is a plus.

Astros Team Report  —  Aaron Boone, who returned to action Wednesday, is believed to be the first player in major league history to play a game after undergoing open-heart surgery.  —  “It's great to get back out there and be a part of a real game,” he said.