Lester's injury appears to be minor  —  Lefty plans to make next start, is day-to-day with contusion  —  NEW YORK — At first, there was panic.  How could there not be?  Jon Lester, Boston's star southpaw, was in agony and on the ground after getting belted on the right knee …

CC Sox it to Boston as Yanks close in on title  —  The Yankees can clinch the American League East title Sunday after CC Sabathia threw seven shutout innings and Robinson Cano slugged a solo homer in a 3-0 victory over the Red Sox Saturday at the Stadium.  —  The victory, the Yanks' fourth in a row …

BRAUN'S WALK-OFF SHOT POWERS BREWERS PAST PHILLIES  —  The Sports Network  —  Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer off Tyler Walker in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-5 win over the Phillies in the third installment of a four-game series.

Jack Egbert begins offseason makeover for Mets  —  Here's the official word from the Mets:  —  The New York Mets today announced that they claimed righthanded pitcher Jack Egbert off waivers from Chicago-AL.  The White Sox placed the righthander on waivers on September 23rd.

SPAN, TWINS STOP ROYALS TO KEEP PACE WITH TIGERS  —  The Sports Network  —  Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Denard Span had four hits and set a career- high with six RBI as the surging Minnesota Twins kept pace in the AL Central race with an 11-6 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Ichiro ejected from game for first time … TORONTO (AP) — Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was ejected from Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays for arguing a called third strike in the fifth inning.  —  It's the first ejection of the season for the Mariners …

San Diego or San Francisco could be destination for Milton Bradley  —  Giants' Aaron Rowand appears to be plausible contract swap for suspended Chicago Cubs outfielder  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The market for troublemaking outfielders on the suspended list with expensive contracts may be better than originally anticipated.

Garcia making case to return in 2010  —  Chicago (74-80) vs. Detroit (82-71), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  CHICAGO — Freddy Garcia has made his desire to return to the White Sox next season clear.  —  “Hopefully it will happen,” Garcia said.  —  At his current rate, Garcia should have no problem giving management reason to bring him back.

One final reason to fire Ricciardi  —  Keeping Jays GM would be nothing short of betrayal  —  It's over.  It's too late, but it's over.  J.P. Ricciardi is done in Toronto, done as the general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, done after eight years of lies, arrogance, and unrelenting mediocrity.

Notes: D-Backs seeking veteran bullpen arm  —  The Diamondbacks will have at least one hole to fill in their starting rotation for 2010, maybe two depending on what they do with injured ace Brandon Webb.  —  But General Manager Josh Byrnes also wants to add an arm to what has been an problematic bullpen …

Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow starts despite respiratory illness  —  Florida quarterback Tim Tebow started Saturday at Kentucky despite a respiratory illness that forced him to travel apart from the team.  —  Tebow appeared energized while running onto the field for Florida's first series.

Mets could be interested in Cuban defector  —  (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)  —  MIAMI - Count the Mets  —  among the handful of teams that are exploring a deal for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, the hard-throwing lefthander who was declared a free agent Friday by Major League Baseball.

Hawkins willing to return to Astros  —  Houston (71-82) vs. Cincinnati (73-81), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  HOUSTON — When the regular season ends next week, LaTroy Hawkins will pack up his car and make the four-hour drive to Prosper, Texas, and wait for his next opportunity.