City police arrest 4 in theft of Ripken's No. 8 statue  —  Overnight incident at Camden Yards captured on surveillance video  —  Two barricades surround the remaining base of a statue commemorating the number of retired Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. The No. 8 statue was stolen overnight …

Joba awaits playoff role  —  If the Yankees finish with the best record in the American League, they'll get to choose which division series schedule they would play, and that could determine whether Joba Chamberlain pitches in the bullpen or the rotation in October.

Astros correct Valverde's age mistake  —  GM Wade said closer's birth date listing was paperwork error  —  HOUSTON — Astros general manger Ed Wade said Wednesday a discrepancy in paperwork led to closer Jose Valverde being listed at two different ages in the team's previous two media guides.

Harper: Jeter's silent treatment speaks volumes  —  Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter strikes out in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.  He goes 0-for-4 on the night with two more strikeouts as his chase of Lou Gehrig continues to stall.  —  In a world where the Yankees almost never lose anymore …

Pujols homers twice, Wainwright wins 18th  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Albert Pujols hit two home runs for a majors-leading 47 and Adam Wainwright picked up his 18th win with seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Dominant Marquis keeps hot Rox rolling  —  Righty wins No. 15 as Colorado increases NL Wild Card lead  —  DENVER — In going where he's been just once, right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis took the Rockies to where they've never been.  —  Marquis struck out a season-high seven in 7 1/3 innings …

Beltran doubles, just misses slam in return  —  On a bruised right knee,  —  Carlos Beltran still made a giant leap forward last night, when he returned to the Mets' lineup after an 11-week absence and showed that he's not far away from regaining his All-Star form.  Maybe just a few feet short.

Bumgarner solid, but Giants lose ground  —  San Francisco falls three games back in Wild Card race  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Tuesday was a good day for the Giants' future.  Their present-day prospects, however, dimmed somewhat.  —  Making a surprise start for Tim Lincecum …

On That Stuff  —  Justin Verlander.  A.J. Burnett.  Ubaldo Jimenez.  These are the names that make scouts salivate.  Why?  One word.  Stuff.  —  Two components determine how nasty a pitcher's stuff truly is: velocity and movement.  We've had radar guns to track the league's hardest throwers …

How NY Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher got his groove back  —  NEW YORK — It was the middle of November and I was in Northern Virginia, trolling Redskins practice looking for stories to write for my old paper.  Nick Swisher was at his dad's house in Parkersburg, W.V., trying to figure out what had gone wrong and how to fix it.

Swisher's walk-off give Yanks 90th win  —  Jeter remains three hits behind Gehrig with latest hitless game  —  NEW YORK — With 47 home victories, just one shy of their total from last season, the Yankees have already ensured that the inaugural season at the new Yankee Stadium has witnessed a fair share of thrilling moments.

Hank Steinbrenner staying silent this season  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Remember Hank  —  Steinbrenner?  —  How can't you?  —  The chain-smoking oldest son of George Steinbrenner catapulted himself into the spotlight late in 2007, after another early Yankees departure from the postseason.

Rangers complete sweep of Indians with 10-0 win  —  CLEVELAND — Scott Feldman pitched seven shutout innings, Esteban German went 5 for 5 and Marlon Byrd hit a three-run homer as the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 10-0 on Wednesday, completing a three-game sweep within 24 hours.

Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky  —  Todd Drew's seats from Yankee Stadium II.  Now resting comfortably on Marsha Drew's deck down south.  —  I am honored to announce that Todd Drew's Lasting Yankee Stadium Memory has been selected by Leigh Montville to be in The Best American Sports Writing 2009 (due out next month).

Cards approach DeRosa about 2010  —  MILWAUKEE — General manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that the Cardinals have significant interest in retaining pending free agent Mark DeRosa and that he has made known the club's position to the player.  —  “Recognizing where we are …

Dustin Pedroia gets chatty with homers  —  Big talk by mighty mite  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Last night's 10-0 laugher was finished early enough for the Red Sox [team stats] to enjoy a few yuks as the game progressed.  —  Dustin Pedroia [stats] …

Cure for baseball fever is potion No. 9  —  Take a look at players who wore it and records tied to it  —  Nine has at least as much significance in baseball as any of its countless cousins — and more than most.  Nine men on a side, if only in the National League.