The Final 9

After trading blows for the past week, the Rockies and Giants enter the last month of the 2009 baseball season tied for the National League wild card.

The AL East-leading Yankees beat the White Sox Sunday, 8-3, to improve baseball's best record to 82-48. Mark Teixeira hit his 32nd home run in the win. Johnny Damon hit his 24th homer of the season for New York.

Adam Wainwright of St. Louis became the majors' first 16-game winner, in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Nationals. Chris Carpenter has the best earned run average in baseball. Joel Pineiro has 13 wins for the Cards, leaders of the NL Central.

After a miserable start that cost manager Clint Hurdle his job, the Rockies look to continue their comeback under Jim Tracy when they host the NL West-leading Dodgers.

All-time hits leader Pete Rose was banned for life from baseball twenty years ago after a major league investigation that included allegations of betting on baseball. AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker said Rose will eventually be reinstated.

Hideki Matsui hit two of the Yankees' five home runs in an 8-4 win in Boston Sunday night. Derek Jeter homered to lead off the game. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano also went deep in the victory.

Philadelphia's Eric Bruntlett made an unassisted triple play to end Philadelphia's 9-7 win Sunday over the Mets. He's just the second player in big league history to get the last three outs of a game on his own.

The Washington Nationals introduced No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg to fans and media in the nation's capital Friday.

There's a hint of desperation in Boston, where the Red Sox open a three-game series with the American League East-leading New York Yankees on Friday night.

There was a new type delay in the ninth inning of Wednesday night's Frontier League game between the Lake Erie Crushers and the Southern Illinois Miners, a skunk delay.

Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals agreed to a contract just before Monday's midnight deadline. Strasburg was the number one overall draft pick.

The Washington Nationals face a midnight deadline to sign No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg. AP sports writer Howard Fendrich says the negotiations will likely go down to the wire.

Three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez recorded a win in his big league season debut Wednesday night. He started and pitched five innings in the Phillies 12-5 win over the Cubs.

Pedro Martinez pitches Wednesday for the first time this season. The three-time Cy Young winner starts for the Phillies vs. the Cubs. Martinez signed with the Phils in July.

Boston slugger David Ortiz, who has the support of manager Terry Francona, will meet with reporters Saturday at Yankee Stadium to discuss his 2003 drug test.

The Oakland Athletics released Jason Giambi Friday after the 38-year-old first baseman had slumped to a .193 batting average. He had been on the disabled list since July 20.

A minor league pitcher who threw a ball into the stands during an on-field fight has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. Julio Castillo has been ordered to start serving his sentence immediately.

The Rays hit four home runs in a 6-4 win over Boston Wednesday night. Tampa Bay trails second place Boston by three games in the AL East.

Albert Pujols is swinging a hot bat, keeping up the pace that has led to Triple Crown talk involving the Cardinals' star slugger.

Detroit rallied to beat Baltimore Monday, 6-5. Clete Thomas hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game. Baltimore scored five runs in the first inning.

Recently acquired Victor Martinez tied a career high with five hits as Boston outscored Baltimore Sunday, 18-10. The Red Sox reached season highs in runs and hits, with 23.

Jake Peavy, Jarrod Washburn and Victor Martinez are among those who were dealt at the major league non-waiver trade deadline.