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 …

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' 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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

The 30 best moves of this year (cont.)  —  Source: Reyes didn't tear hamstring completely, but surgery still looks likely  —  Star shortstop Jose Reyes, who personifies the Mets' disastrous and injury-wracked season, now has received an initial recommendation to have the hamstring tendon that's …