Howard, Rollins spark Phillies' victory over Atlanta  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Ryan Howard (FSY) homered twice, Jimmy Rollins (FSY) hit a three-run shot, and the Philadelphia Phillies overcame a shortened start by rookie J.A. Happ (FSY) to end Atlanta's seven-game winning streak with a 9-4 victory Friday night.

Central intrigue: Twins climb to within 3 of Tigers … MINNEAPOLIS(AP) Michael Cuddyer 's two-run homer was all Brian Duensing needed to beat Detroit and move Minnesota within three games of the AL Central lead, energizing the Twins in a 3-0 victory over the Tigers Friday night.

Davis Would Return To D'Backs Or Brewers  —  Doug Davis has played his entire National League career with two teams: the D'Backs and Brewers.  Now that he's about to become a free agent, Davis tells Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic that he'd return to either club.

Kazmir notches first win with Angels in key victory vs. Texas  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Scott Kazmir (FSY) pitched six scoreless innings to get his first victory for the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels and Vladimir Guerrero (FSY) homered in a 2-0 victory Friday night over the slumping Texas Rangers …

Reassessing three underachievers and notes around the majors … For most teams, it is time to turn the page on this season.  In a few cases, it has been that way for months.  But one major advantage to being eliminated early is that there is plenty of extra time to assess one's needs …

Marlins save best for last, snap nine-game skid in Cincinnati  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — All those big numbers were weighing on the Florida Marlins, who needed something sensational to keep from slipping farther behind in the NL wild card race.  —  They got it against one of the NL's top closers.

Holliday homer gives Cardinals 3-2 win over Cubs  —  ST. LOUIS — Matt Holliday homered off Aaron Heilman leading off the bottom of the ninth inning giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night, reducing their magic number for clinching the NL Central to six.

BUCHHOLZ BEATS ORIOLES FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT VICTORY  —  The Sports Network  —  Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Clay Buchholz won his fifth straight decision after allowing one run in six innings, and the Boston Red Sox strengthened their stranglehold on the American League wild card race with a 3-1 victory over Baltimore.

Homer No. 20 a special one for Gomes  —  Cincinnati (68-79) vs. Florida (78-69), 7:10 p.m. ET  —  CINCINNATI — Home run No. 20 of the season was rife with meaning for Reds left fielder Jonny Gomes, and someone else, too.  —  Gomes went deep in the second inning of the Reds' win over the Astros on Wednesday.

Yankees' Pettitte eager to test out shoulder Monday  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Andy Pettitte (FSY) just wants Monday to arrive and get a true gauge of how his tired left shoulder is feeling.  —  The Yankees, already looking ahead to the postseason, would like to see a healthy Pettitte as well and put …

Sunday to be Gallardo's season finale  —  Thanks to MLB.com contributor J.R. Radcliffe, who is covering the Brewers tonight in my wake, for passing along this note:  —  Yovani Gallardo will pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in what will serve as his final outing of the 2009 season.

Setback might end Carlos Delgado's tenure with New York Mets  —  NEW YORK — Carlos Delgado might have played his last game for the New York Mets.  —  Delgado  —  The slugger had another setback while rehabbing from right hip surgery and it appears increasingly unlikely that he'll be able …

Can We Let the David Ortiz Injustice Die?  —  Michael Schmidt of The New York Times recounted how he set out to obtain names sealed by court order of 100-plus Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.  He wrote a story on David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Street takes big step toward return  —  PHOENIX — Huston Street's 2009 detour is about to end.  —  The Rockies' injured closer threw about 25 pitches in a simulated game today and emerged confident and pain-free.  Street said he's been told he will be activated for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Growing up a KC fan, Crow ready to go  —  Royals' first-round Draft pick to pitch in Arizona this fall  —  KANSAS CITY — It's probably premature to expect right-hander Aaron Crow to be pitching along with Zack Greinke and Gil Meche next summer at Kauffman Stadium but, no doubt about it, the Royals have big hopes for Crow.

Mortgaging the Future to Pay for the Past: Was It Worth It?  —  More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP  —  From Blez's February 2006 interview with John Sickels: … Opening with the caveat that it's rarely fair to judge past predictions (knowing that hindsight is 20/20) …

Mets can't bank on a better 2010  —  Mets manager Jerry Manuel's players are taking full advantage of this late-September vacation, if not the manager himself.  —  No one disputes the Mets are awful; their lineup is currently the worst in the major leagues.

Will MLB's Latest Tech Disserve Game?  —  As the end of the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) season approaches, technological advances, still in their infancy, were instituted in 2009, intended for the game's future progress; that according to MLB.  —  Most fans, however …