Wright finishes the season strong  —  Unlike the dozen of his  —  teammates lost to season-ending injuries, David Wright is going to finish the year in uniform.  But this past month has been a struggle for Wright after returning from a concussion, and only now does it appear …

Twins cut Tigers' lead to one  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jeff Manship's (FSY) first major league win was well-timed for the Minnesota Twins, who got a grand slam from Delmon Young (FSY) and hung on for a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night that cut Detroit's AL Central lead to one game.

AP: Padres GM Towers has been fired  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kevin Towers, the longest-tenured general manager in the major leagues, has been fired by the San Diego Padres, a person familiar with the situation said Friday night.  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't made an announcement.

Rockies prevent Dodgers from clinching NL West … LOS ANGELES(AP) Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10 and the streaking Colorado Rockies forced the NL West race down to the final two games, beating the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Friday night.  —  With both teams already assured playoff spots …

CC rocked in final tuneup before ALDS  —  Southpaw labors vs. Rays as Yanks stumble at the Trop  —  ST. PETERSBURG — His head down, CC Sabathia walked slowly into the dugout, ignoring the taunting fans overhead.  Barking an angry word, he removed his glove and fired it into the wall, scattering an assortment of plastic bottles.

Catcher Gregg Zaun hopes to return to Tampa Bay Rays in 2010  —  ST. PETERSBURG — C Gregg Zaun has been a Ray for less than two months, but he said he'd love to come back next year — and possibly beyond — if the feeling is mutual.  —  Zaun, a 15-year veteran, has a mutual $2 million option …

At Sold-Out Fenway, a Way in for Patient Fans  —  BOSTON — Joan George was in the mood to treat herself to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, where every game since May 15, 2003, has sold out.  —  So a few hours before a recent game, she went to the back side of the ballpark along Lansdowne Street …

Escapism encourages Daisuke Matsuzaka  —  Sox hang tough in what could be costly victory  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  Playoff teams usually include at least one “X-factor” they hope can pop up out of the blue as a surprise October contributor.

Warrant issued for ballplayer Shawn Chacon over gambling markers  —  Onetime All-Star accused of failing to pay Caesars Palace $150,000  —  Shawn Chacon pitches for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 3, 2006, in Pittsburgh.  —  2 a.m.

Upton hits for first cycle in Rays history  —  Single in fifth completes bid for feat against Yanks at Trop  —  ST. PETERSBURG — B.J. Upton became the first player in Rays history to hit for the cycle when he turned the trick Friday night in his first four at-bats against the Yankees during Tampa Bay's 13-4 victory.

Dick Pole fired as Cincinnati Reds pitching coach; remainder of coaching staff to return for 2010  —  CINCINNATI — Pitching coach Dick Pole has been fired by the Cincinnati Reds.  —  Pole was finishing his third season with the team, which began Friday seventh in the National League with a 4.52 ERA.

Weiner elected by Players Association  —  Fehr's successor has been a member of union for 21 years  —  Michael Weiner has been elected as the new executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the union announced on Friday.  He replaces Don Fehr, who gave notice that he intended to retire earlier this year.

Ascanio has shoulder surgery  —  CINCINNATI — Pirates pitcher Jose Ascanio had surgery this morning to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.  —  It was performed by Dr. James Andrews at his office in Pensacola, Fla.  —  There is no timetable for Ascanio's return, general manager Neal Huntington said.