Game 6: Twice Down to Last Strike, Cards Win 10-9  —  David Freese homered in the 11th inning to give the Cardinals a 10-9 victory over Texas in Game 6 of the World Series, capping one of the wildest, most exciting finishes in baseball history.  —  As Freese's shot cleared the center field fence …

Boras says he was kidding; knows Yankees won't adjust Cano's contract  —  ST. LOUIS — Scott Boras wants a few things cleared up regarding comments he made to The Post on Wednesday when he talked about Robinson Cano's two option years with the Yankees.  —  Boras, who represents the second baseman …

Lovullo, McEwing not high on Sox's list  —  As the Boston Red Sox's manager search begins in earnest, we do not yet have a clear picture of who is on the team's short list to take Terry Francona's place.  We are starting to learn, however, which candidates are unlikely to be among the finalists.

Dodgers: Bryan Stow shares blame  —  The attorney for embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt filed a civil complaint against the two men charged in the Opening Day beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, arguing that they should be held liable for the attack …

NY Mets won't re-sign Jose Reyes during exclusive negotiating period after World Series: source  —  Has Jose Reyes played his final home game at Citi Field?  Everyone will know this winter.  —  Check in with Jose Reyes, perhaps make a modest offer, then step back while he collects proposals …

Reggie Jackson says Billy Martin was a bigot  —  NEW YORK - To Reggie Jackson, this is fact - not opinion - that Billy Martin engaged in bigoted and anti-Semitic behavior during his tumultuous tenure as Yankees manager.  —  “I didn't say it as accusatory ... I said it with feeling and empathy …

Cardinals Pick Up Option on Injured Wainwright  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have picked up a two-year, $21 million contract on injured pitcher Adam Wainwright, helping set their rotation for next year.  —  Wainwright, a 20-game winner in 2010, is rehabbing from elbow surgery …

The story of the Cardinals fan who returned David Freese's homer  —  ST. LOUIS — Though the mad scramble for David Freese's(notes) home run ball looked like a spontaneous mess on Thursday night, the truth is that Dave Huyette (center) and his friend Jeremy Reiland had already played the scenario through their minds several times.

Notebook: Pujols defends hit-and-run play  —  First baseman Albert Pujols reiterated his belief Wednesday that the abortive hit-and-run he ordered during the seventh inning of Monday's Game 3 was a sound idea and in keeping with the understanding he shares with manager Tony La Russa.

Draft/Int'l Spending Cap Discussed In CBA Talks  —  A hard slotting system for the amateur draft is no longer the main issue holding up a new collective bargaining agreement, a source tells Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (Twitter link).  Still being discussed, however …

Alvaro Aristy Faked Age, Identity For $1 Million Bonus  —  Scandal one of biggest known fraud cases since Esmailyn Gonzalez  —  Alvaro Aristy signed with the Padres three years ago for $1 million.  Neither his name, his age nor his talent has proven to be legitimate.

Byrnes back in his coveted role as GM  —  SAN DIEGO — At no point during Josh Byrnes' indoctrination to baseball operations did he ever question what he was doing; not when faced with the long hours of an intern, not when buried beneath the heap of responsibility, not when the pittance of a paycheck …

Hong-Chih Kuo and His Tale of Perserverance  —  In the dog-bites-man story of the week, the Dodgers announced that lefty Hong-Chih Kuo will have surgery on Friday.  This time, the surgery is not major: arthroscopic surgery designed to remove some loose bodies.