--OF Torii Hunter was a last-minute scratch from Wednesday's lineup after being struck in the face by a ball. Hunter was taking batting practice in the cages under the stands at McAfee Coliseum and lined a ball off the L-screen that protects the pitcher. The ball ricocheted back and hit Hunter in the right cheek. The cheek was bruised and swollen, but the injury was not considered serious.
--SS Erick Aybar was in the lineup for the second consecutive game after missing 17 games with a strained left hamstring. He played five innings Wednesday, going 1-for-3.
--1B Mark Teixeira had gone 1-for-11 in his first four games back after missing two games with a staph infection, but then he had a pair of doubles and a two-run home run in four at-bats Wednesday. The home run was the 201st of his career -- the most by any switch hitter during his first six seasons in the majors.
--RHP Jered Weaver is probably destined for the bullpen during the playoffs, but he has allowed just one run over 12 innings in two starts since returning from cuts on his pitching hand.
BY THE NUMBERS: 63 -- Save opportunities for Francisco Rodriguez when he tied Bobby Thigpen's single-season record by converting his 57th of the season. Thigpen needed 65 save opportunities to set the record in 1990.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's a great thing to have. But it is a weird feeling 'cause there's so much baseball to be played." -- Chone Figgins, on the Angels clinching their division on Sept. 10 (earliest ever in AL West).
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We've been witnessing another riveting Bunt For October, during which many brutal sacrifices are required as Major League Baseball teams chug toward the finish line.
These include the Milwaukee Brewers bouncing their manager as the drastic tactic in a bid to survive the National League wild-card derby. The immediate dividend was the first record-staining defeat sustained by CC Sabathia since the hulking southpaw was acquired from the Cleveland Indians.
MLB roundup
Thursday's action
- Cubs down Brewers in 12th
- Royals blank M's behind Greinke
- Dodgers rally past Pirates
- Phils maintain East lead
- Jays hang on to beat O's
- K-Rod saves another for Halos
- Santana send Mets to win
- Twins get closer in Central
- Abreu powers Yanks past ChiSox
- Baker delivers for Marlins
- Cards hold off pesky Reds
- D-backs get sweep of Giants
More on MLB:
- O'Connor: This choke is different
- Ringolsby: Santo should be in Hall
- Perry: Chaotic finish looms
- Perry: Why have D-backs regressed?
Photo gallery:
- PHOTOS: September in full swing
- PHOTOS: Zambrano fires no-no
Family Friendly Ballpark Guide:
See what makes each ballpark special, inside and out, by touring the T-Mobile Family Ballpark Guide.
Milestone tracker:
Follow Randy Johnson's quest for 300 wins and Gary Sheffield's chase for 500 HR in the AT&T Milestone Tracker.
One sacrifice that failed to arrive in the nick of time was made by the New York Yankees, whose home-stretch stagger included the shocking decision to validate the existence of Carl Pavano.
Unlike the Yankees, several teams have at least one reason to remain optimistic. What follows is a look at what lies ahead for each of these teams and an attempt to identify which players could seize significant closing roles.
