Kennedy makes surprise FSL start  —  Helps Yankees defeat Stone Crabs in Finals opener  —  The opening game of the Florida State League Championship Series featured a surprise guest.  —  Ian Kennedy tossed two scoreless innings for Tampa, making his first appearance since surgery …

For Angels' Figgins, the attraction is mutual  —  The free agent-to-be acknowledges that he could flourish playing for Guillen and the White Sox.  —  Recommend  —  ANAHEIM - Chone Figgins' future boss might have been staring at him from the visiting dugout this weekend.

Hicks: MLB not restricting Rangers' funds  —  Owner insists financial decisions aren't influenced by league  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks said on Saturday afternoon that his ballclub is continuing to conduct business as usual under normal budgetary constraints …

RANGERS' FINANCES  —  Baseball Time in Arlington rounds up reports on the Rangers financial woes, and it appears MLB is calling the shots now.  That makes Kevin Millwood's status very interesting: … One could argue that Feliz should be starting instead of Millwood based on how they've pitched since August 1st.

Ex-Met Hernandez finally safe at home  —  It was near midnight on Tumbleweed Tuesday, the name East  —  Enders give the day after Labor Day, when they reclaim their towns from seasonal visitors.  —  But one celebrity resident was just returning home from work, a commuter completing another long ride …

Joe Torre congratulates Derek Jeter on setting hits record  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Joe Torre offered his congratulations to Derek Jeter in the New York Yankees star's preferred form of communication: via text message.  —  Torre said Saturday he'd reached out to Jeter, who on Friday night broke …

Josh Beckett, Red Sox make short work of Rays  —  Eight-run 3rd gives pitcher boost in win  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  It took the Rays and Red Sox [team stats] more than two hours just to start last night's rain-delayed game.  And then the Red Sox acted like they didn't want it to end.

Oz being Oz  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - The best of Ozzie from Saturday:  —  Guillen on his hitters failing to beat pitchers they have seen for the first time - “I mean you're not going to take anything away from the pitching staffs that we've faced, but we've been facing some pitchers this year it's like, 'Who the [expletive] is this guy?

Dodgers leave Giants reeling in NL West  —  Division leaders push third-place SF to 8 1/2 games back  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Vicente Padilla, who came to the Dodgers with a reputation as a head hunter, officially became a Giants killer on Saturday night.  —  Padilla remained unbeaten …