Wright and Mets must adjust to Citi limits  —  Citi Field might not be the sole reason for David Wright's career-low home run total this season.  —  In his press conference before Friday night's series opener against the Astros, Jerry Manuel was asked how the Mets might alter …

Blue Jays fire GM J.P. Ricciardi  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi.  —  Interim CEO Paul Beeston announced the move on Saturday, saying he felt it was time for a change.  —  Ricciardi has been in charge of the team since Nov. 14, 2001, posting four winning seasons and four losing ones.

Towers ousted as GM; Moorad seeks more ‘strategic approach’  —  Padres CEO Jeff Moorad thinks of Kevin Towers as “a gunslinger,” and, he added, “a masterful one, at that.”  What he wants is someone who can put more of the “general” in general manager.  —  Strategic thinking …

Twins cut Tigers' AL Central lead to one  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have wanted out of the Metrodome for years.  —  They're playing as if they want to stay a little longer.  —  GAME REPORT: Twins 10, Royals 7  —  DETROIT SHUT OUT: Tigers fall to White Sox

Sabathia not shaken, Teixeira just stirred  —  CC Sabathia and Joe Girardi both chalked up tonight's woeful start (2.2 IP, 9 R, 5 ER, 8 H, 5 BB) to poor fastball command and good timing.  “He had no command of his fastball,” Girardi said.  “For whatever reason, it wasn't there tonight.

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 …

Slumping Hanley Ramirez sits out as Florida Marlins thump Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — For a guy closing in on his first National League batting title, Hanley Ramirez hasn't been hitting like a batting champion lately.  —  Ramirez didn't play in the Marlins' 7-2 win over the Phillies on Friday …

X-rays negative for Alex Gonzalez  —  The Red Sox [team stats] got the good news they were hoping for this morning — additional X-rays on shortstop Alex Gonzalez' right wrist proved negative this morning.  —  Gonzalez was hit on the hand in the eighth inning of Saturday night's 6-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Lowe's struggles continue in last start  —  Two-run double by Ross is not enough in Braves loss  —  ATLANTA — Derek Lowe can take solace in the fact that his frustrating season has come to a close.  As for the Braves, they have to continue to worry about the possibility that these past few months might …

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.