For the second straight night, the Yankees fail to become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot. After the Mariners yesterday, it’s the Angels’ turn to spoil the Yankee celebration, with a 5 – 2 win over New York, thanks to a strong performance by P Joe Saunders.

ByBaseball

For the second straight night, the Yankees fail to become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot. After the Mariners yesterday, it’s the Angels’ turn to spoil the Yankee celebration, with a 5 – 2 win over New York, thanks to a strong performance by P Joe Saunders.

Angel Villalona, a top prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, is charged with murder in the death of a man at a bar in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. The 19-year-old 1B faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

ByBaseball

Angel Villalona, a top prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, is charged with murder in the death of a man at a bar in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic. The 19-year-old 1B faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and is said to possess a 100 mph fastball, has established residence in the tiny European principalty of Andorra after defecting in July. This allows him to bypass the amateur draft and offer his services to all major league teams as a free agent. Bidding is expected to be fierce.

ByBaseball

21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and is said to possess a 100 mph fastball, has established residence in the tiny European principalty of Andorra after defecting in July. This allows him to bypass the amateur draft and offer his services to all major league teams as a free agent. Bidding is expected to be fierce.

Cecil Cooper is replaced by Dave Clark, the team’s third base coach, as the manager of the slumping Astros.

Cecil Cooper is replaced by Dave Clark, the team’s third base coach, as the manager of the slumping Astros.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Cecil Cooper is replaced by Dave Clark, the team’s third base coach, as the manager of the slumping Astros. ‘Coop’, who had signed a contract extension to manage until the end of the 2010 season, piloted his club to a 171-170 record, including a disappointing 70-79 mark this season, during his two-year tenure in the Houston dugout.