Pirates swindle Yankees  —  In the Times, Tyler Kepner writes about the Pirates and mostly about Ross Ohlendorf, a smart guy who's going to spend part of his offseason as an intern in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  I'm going to write mostly about Jose Tabata, who's going to spend …

Martinez is helping them to be victorious  —  CHICAGO - Victor Martinez is pretty much calling the games now, with an occasional glance at pitching coach John Farrell, a sign Martinez is getting comfortable with the Red Sox hurlers and at least planting the seed in the minds of the brass …

Mets batting leaders Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado doubtful to return this season  —  Any Met fans still holding their breath to see Gary Sheffield or Carlos Delgado back in the middle of the lineup should stop.  Jerry Manuel is doubtful either injured slugger will play again this season.

Cubs join Sox in Figgins quest  —  NEW YORK — White Sox general manager Ken Williams got the last big name on the Cubs' wish list, Jake Peavy, but if the Cubs get a little spending money this winter from new ownership, he's going to have a lot harder time doing it again with Chone Figgins.

All eyes on Jeter in twin bill with Rays  —  New York (87-50) vs. Tampa Bay (72-64), 1:05 p.m. ET  —  TORONTO — Derek Jeter's pursuit of the Iron Horse has brought him back to New York, as the Yankees shortstop will have a chance to become his franchise's all-time hits leader on a long day of baseball at Yankee Stadium.

Game 138: Rays at Yankees  —  YANKEES (87-50)  —  Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (16-7, 3.48).  —  RAYS (72-64)  —  Bartlett SS  —  Crawford LF  —  Zobrist 2B  —  Pena 1B  —  Burrell DH  —  Longoria 3B  —  Kapler RF  —  Navarro C  —  Perez CF  —  Pitching: RHP Matt Garza (7-9, 4.01).

Derek Jeter's every hit as a Yankee has been seen and called by radio announcer John Sterling  —  TORONTO - Teammates, coaches and even managers have come and gone during Derek Jeter's career, each witnessing part of the shortstop's climb toward the top of the Yankees' all-time hits list.

No slowing down Bourn on basepaths  —  Houston (66-70) vs. Philadelphia (77-57), 1:05 p.m. CT  —  HOUSTON — Michael Bourn didn't come into this season looking to break the club record for stolen bases, and unless he goes wild in the final month, he's not going reach Gerald Young's club mark of 65 set in 1988.

Pitcher Wade Davis dazzles in his major-league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays  —  Teammates congratulate Wade Davis after the seventh, which was his final inning.  He left with the lead but got a no-decision.  —  Times]  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Wade Davis' dazzling …

Against AL East Powers, Orioles Are Taking the ‘Only Way’  —  BALTIMORE Standing by the batting cage in Camden Yards last week, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter told Orioles Manager Dave Trembley, “You have some really nice young players.  And they play hard, too.”  —  Trembley beamed, and said, “Thank you.”

Beltran says he's ready . . . and waiting  —  For the second consecutive day,  —  Carlos Beltran asserted to all who asked that he is 100 percent healthy and ready to play on a major-league field.  And for the second straight day, he shrugged when asked when he'll be back in uniform for the Mets.

Local Sports  —  Two days later, Hoffmann resigns with Dodgers  —  NEW ULM - Less than 48 hours after being Designated For Assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jamie Hoffmann resigned with the Dodgers early Friday morning.  —  “I still have to go through release waivers and then formally sign …

La Russa not worried after Cards' loss  —  SEPT. 6, 2009 — Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jesse Chavez in the ninth inning of a game in Pittsburgh.  The Pirates won 6-5.  (AP)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH