Rizzo chats with Nationals fans  —  GM discusses future of team, including Strasburg's role in 2010  —  Mike Rizzo: Welcome to today's chat.  I'm looking forward to answering your questions.  Here we go.  —  wilnieves: Elijah Dukes has been playing well since returning from Triple …

Schilling: ‘There Are No Fakes and Frauds In October’  —  Curt Schilling visited the Dennis & Callahan Show on Thursday morning to discuss the shape of the Red Sox and the baseball landscape as the playoffs approach.  Schilling discussed the decision as to whether Josh Beckett or Jon Lester …

Tampa Bay Rays will change next season, but how much?  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The death of the Rays 2009 season arrived this week.  Belatedly, as it turns out.  —  We have known for about a month, and probably longer, that there would be no encore performance.

Rotation in question for Rockies' Marquis  —  Jason Marquis' struggles of late could alter the Rockies' postseason approach.  —  The Denver Post  —  Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis lays down a sacrifice bunt during the second inning Wednesday night to advance baserunners against the Padres at Coors Field.

Best (and worst) of the playoff rotations  —  Starting pitching often rules in October, and that should bode well for the Red Sox  —  When you think of October, you think of Josh Beckett pitching a Game 6 shutout in Yankee Stadium.  You think of Cole Hamels, carving his own little slice of Mr. October history.

Giants win, likely to decline Freddy Sanchez option  —  PHOENIX — Freddy Sanchez will require surgery after the season to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, making it almost automatic that the Giants, 5-2 winners over Arizona on Wednesday, will decline their $8.1 million option on the two-time All-Star second baseman.

Another win for Bobby Cox: Braves beat Mets 5-2  —  Buzz up!  —  NEW YORK (AP)—The way his Atlanta Braves are playing down the stretch, it's a wonder Bobby Cox doesn't want to stick around longer.  —  Tim Hudson  —  pitched six effective innings for his second win since major elbow surgery …

Twins-White Sox game delayed by lights problem  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox game was delayed briefly in the third inning when half of a bank of lights high above the home team dugout went out at U.S. Cellular Field.  —  The lights failed Wednesday night with Chicago's Alex Rios batting.

Minaya is running out of loyal followers  —  In happier times for the  —  Mets, during spring training of 2007, members of the team's front office wore caps with the letters F.O.O. stitched across the front.  The headgear marked them as “Friends of Omar,” a playful term tossed around among …

Hairston could have serious wrist injury  —  Jerry Hairston Jr. “felt a pop” in his left wrist while taking a practice swing in the seventh inning.  That's why he came out of the game.  —  Hairston said he felt a sharp pain.  He has been been having wrist issues on and off since diving …

The Dying Art of the Ballpark Tantrum  —  In a game last month, Shane Victorino of the Philadelphia Phillies was standing in centerfield when the home-plate umpire reared up and gave him the hook.  Apparently, Mr. Victorino had made one too many gestures of disapproval at the umpire's ball-and-strike calls.

Adding two more playoff spots would spice up baseball's final month … All things considered, baseball has done a remarkable job holding the means.  —  There have been no legitimate races per se, no media storyline despite Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer and Derek Jeter, and still attendance …

ARROYO HELPS REDS SWEEP PIRATES  —  The Sports Network  —  Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Bronson Arroyo held Pittsburgh to one run over seven innings, as the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the Pirates with a 4-1 win at PNC Park.  —  Arroyo (14-13) scattered five hits …

11 Blown Saves, 11 Games to Play  —  It is impossibly difficult to picture a Phillies repeat with more performances like this.  —  Charlie Manuel sees it, too.  —  “It's getting tough,” he said following a 7-6 loss to the Marlins last night at Land Shark Stadium.  “We've got to close the games out.

Dan Uggla reaches another milestone  —  The milestones continue to pile up for Dan Uggla.  —  With his 30th home run Tuesday, Uggla became the first player in major league history to hit at least 30 home runs in three consecutive seasons while playing at least 100 games at second base.

Posada's X-rays come back negative  —  Results good news after catcher fouled ball off right foot  —  ANAHEIM — Having clinched at least a spot in the postseason but still seeking loftier goals, the Yankees breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday after X-rays on Jorge Posada's bruised right foot came back negative.