Baseball
Today at the Races: Sept. 5
Four matchups on Friday have direct bearing on the playoffs, with series in Los Angeles and New York pitting the first- and second-place teams in the NL West and East, respectively, against one another. [Link]
Royals coast to twin-bill sweep
The Royals took it to the A's in a doubleheader on Thursday, using a Joey Gathright 10th-inning walk-off single for a 5-4 win before completing the sweep with a 9-6 victory in the nightcap. Jose Guillen had three RBIs in the second game. [Link]
Yesterday at the Races: Sept. 4
The Twins could've gained ground on two idle Sox — the White Sox, leading the AL Central, and the Red Sox, leading the Wild Card — but were shut out by the Jays. The Brewers dropped their fourth straight and could not close the gap to the Cubs. [Link]
Twins end road trip with loss to Jays
Nick Punto and the Twins couldn't muster any offense against Blue Jays pitching as they were blanked, 9-0, at Rogers Centre on Thursday night. Right-hander Kevin Slowey took the loss. [Link]
Groin strain could end Belliard's season
Ronnie Belliard suffered a potentially season-ending right groin injury during Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Braves and will undergo an MRI on Friday morning to confirm the grim diagnosis. [Link]
Brewers suffer fourth straight loss
The Brewers have dropped four in a row to start September, including Thursday's 5-2 loss to the last-place Padres at Miller Park that cost them an opportunity to gain a half-game in the NL Central. [Link]
Duchscherer scratched from start
The A's have scratched Justin Duchscherer from Saturday's scheduled start after Duchscherer had a setback during Thursday's bullpen session. "His bullpen didn't go that well and he definitely will not pitch Saturday," A's manager Bob Geren said. [Link]
Wily Kazmir dominates Yanks in finale
Looking to avoid their first home sweep of the season, the Rays handed the ball to their ace on Thursday night. And Scott Kazmir delivered, holding the Yanks to one-hit over six innings — to buoy Tampa Bay to a 7-5 victory over New York. [Link]
Above Parr debut
James Parr delivered six scoreless innings in his Major League debut on Thursday, the bullpen contributed three more and Brian McCann and Gregor Blanco each drove in a run as the Braves defeated the Nationals, 2-0. [Link]
Hill to have right elbow surgery
Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill will have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Friday afternoon. [Link]
Gathright lifts Royals past A's
Joey Gathright turned into the hitting hero for the Royals on Thursday. Gathright slashed a single past third base to give the Royals a 10-inning, 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the first game of a doubleheader at Kauffman Stadium. [Link]
Humber may relieve stress on 'pen
One of manager Ron Gardenhire's biggest challenges, especially during the club's recent road trip, has been managing a bullpen that lacks clearly defined roles, aside from closer Joe Nathan. Philip Humber (pictured) may help with that. [Link]
Sheets on schedule for Saturday start
Three days after he left a start early with what he called "cramping" in his groin, Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets appeared on track to start as scheduled on Saturday against the Padres. [Link]
Halos, White Sox to face off on TBS
When the Angels and White Sox hook up at U.S. Cellular Field for the TBS Game of the Week on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. CT/11:05 a.m. PT, it might also be a postseason preview of the American League Division Series. [Link]
Upton won't let pain keep him out
Prior to Thursday's finale against the Yankees, Rays manager Joe Maddon said he wasn't overly concerned with B.J. Upton's left shoulder, as long as the club monitors it properly. [Link]
Gerut could miss another week
Padres center fielder Jody Gerut could miss another week, and right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke might be out longer than that. [Link]
D-backs look to draw on experience
With 23 games remaining through Thurday's off-day, the D-backs look to draw on their September experience from a season ago as they battle for NL West supremacy. [Link]
Cashman pleased with instant replay
The umpires successfully used instant replay on Wednesday to confirm Alex Rodriguez's two-run home run. From a perch two levels above the playing field, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was pleased, and for more than one reason. [Link]
Chipper returns to Braves' lineup
On Thursday, Chipper Jones determined it wasn't necessary to visit a doctor, and Yunel Escobar was able to take batting practice without any signs of shoulder discomfort. Maybe the Braves are finally going to experience some luck on the injury front. [Link]