Upton removed from series finale  —  Right fielder ended up with a single on ball hit to wall  —  DENVER — D-backs right fielder Justin Upton was removed from Sunday's series finale with the Rockies in the middle of the third inning for not running out a deep drive to center field in the top of the inning.

Lester, Red Sox rip White Sox, stretch wild-card edge  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester (FSY) allowed four hits over seven shutout innings and Mike Lowell (FSY) and Victor Martinez (FSY) homered Sunday as the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-1.  —  Boston increased its AL wild-card lead …

Ohlendorf Making '08 Trade Look Like a Steal  —  PITTSBURGH - Ross Ohlendorf has had a breakthrough season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 11-9 with a 3.97 E.R.A. for a last-place team.  But he is also Princeton graduate with an off-season ranching business and a relentlessly curious mind.

Jeter & DiMaggio - Who's Better?  —  An interesting question came up here yestersday regarding Derek Jeter and Joe DiMaggio - centering on who is the “greater” Yankee (in terms of their career with the team).  —  I've found Jeter and DiMaggio to be very alike - off the field …

Mets in ‘foul’ territory  —  Meet the mess.  —  The Mets' new $850 million stadium is breaking down at about the same rate as its beleaguered lineup, the Post has learned.  —  Less than a season old, Citi Field has been plagued by water damage to several luxury suites — including Jerry Seinfeld's …

Angels' Chone Figgins may be on Cubs' radar  —  If they don't land free-agent speedster, Kosuke Fukudome possible leadoff man  —  Angels' Chone Figgins slides into home after tagging up on a sacrifice fly in the second inning against the White Sox.  (Chris Sweda, McClatchy-Tribune / August 6, 2009)

Inbox: How can Nationals improve?  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nats fans' questions  —  After two seasons of almost 200 losses, I think the Nationals need to sign some free agents to bridge the gap.  Is management seriously considering acquiring veteran starting pitching …

Mariners' Suzuki gets 2,000th hit  —  Buzz up!  —  took Gio Gonzalez's  —  first offering for a ball.  He drilled the second pitch down the right field line for a double and his 2,000th career hit.  —  The Mariners' outfielder, who accumulated 1,278 hits in Japan …

No shortage of options  —  If Sox don't stick with Gonzalez, then . . .  Alex Gonzalez has given the Red Sox stability at shortstop, which was the goal when they acquired him from the Reds Aug. 14.  At least for the remainder of the season.  —  “I've enjoyed being back here,” Gonzalez said.

Day to forget as Jays bop bumbling Bombers  —  TORONTO - The YES Network won't be showing Sunday's game as a “Yankees Classic” any time soon.  —  The Yankees' disastrous 14-8 loss in Toronto won't mean much to them in the long run, but for one day at the Rogers Centre …

Gallardo to be skipped; Colome released  —  Two bits of pregame news today:  — In an effort to limit his workload, the Brewers will essentially skip Yovani Gallardo's next start and use him next on Sept. 15 in Chicago.  Since the team has an off-day Thursday, the other four starters …

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera comfortable in bullpen session, could return Sunday from groin injury  —  TORONTO - Mariano Rivera had “no problems at all” during a 16-pitch bullpen session, clearing the way for him to return to the mound as soon as Sunday.  —  Rivera felt soreness and tightness …

Contreras' first effort helps Rockies beat Diamondbacks  —  DENVER (AP) — Even though he has pitched in the World Series before, Jose Contreras (FSY) confessed he was nervous before his first start for the Colorado Rockies.  —  He didn't look it once he took the mound.

Unlike Shea, Ron Santo likes New York Mets' new park  —  At least it doesn't remind Chicago Cubs broadcaster of 1969  —  NEW YORK — Ron Santo's least-favorite destination in America was the now-obliterated Shea Stadium, for reasons most Cubs fans know by heart.