Doubting Big Papi gets old  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  TORONTO — A blog post on the indispensable baseball-reference.com caught the eye the other day: “David Ortiz [stats] is having the greatest season by a 35+ DH in history.”  —  The numbers are compelling.

Morgan takes his taunting of Cardinals to Twitter  —  DOWNTOWN  • Shortly after Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols offered up a complimentary view of Nyjer Morgan as a talented player who “sometimes goes a little overboard,” the Milwaukee Brewers center fielder had something to say about Pujols on Twitter.

Padres Win Shrinks Giants' Playoff Hopes  —  SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Pitcher Aaron Harang foiled San Francisco's plans of maintaining momentum in the chase for a playoff berth by leading the San Diego Padres to a 3-1 victory over the Giants on Wednesday.  —  The defending World Series champions …

Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena making a case to stay with Cubs  —  Reds baserunner Edgar Renteria is tagged out at the plate by Cubs catcher Koyie Hill as he tried to score from third base on a fly ball off the bat of Yonder Alonso to end the seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs …

The Continuing Story of Bungalow Phil  —  While his pitch count gently weeps.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)  —  As noted in the the Tuesday night game recap, Phil Hughes' continued inability to authoritatively shut down hitters after reaching favorable pitchers' counts …

Williams Stars as Angels Rally Past M's in 8th  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Maicer Izturis hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning, rewarding Jerome Williams for pitching eight innings of one-hit ball in the Los Angeles Angels' 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Chase Utley out at least two days  —  PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will miss at least two games with what his team believes is a “very mild concussion,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Wednesday night.  —  Utley

Phillies' Mayberry uses agent to try for date with ‘Pirates’ mermaid  —  John Mayberry(notes) will apparently do anything for a date with a mermaid.  —  Yes, somebody has playfully betrayed the young Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and leaked a series of emails that expose his diabolical plan …

McCutchen Homers Twice, Pirates Beat Astros 5-4  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen homered twice, pinch-hitter Jason Jaramillo singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Wednesday night.  —  McCutchen hit a solo homer …

Beckett able to rejoin team  —  No timetable for righty to pitch  —  Tim Wakefield, who lasted five innings and left with the lead, throws to first to hold a runner in the second inning.  (Fred Thornhill/Reuters)  —  TORONTO - Josh Beckett rejoined the Red Sox yesterday …

Selig has a cure for baseball's long September  —  Not even Bud Selig, baseball's biggest booster, can spin this September into something compelling.  The division races have dissolved.  The jockeying for home field in the playoffs is dull.  All of the leftover buzz surrounds individual awards, not team races.