September baseball is here with its storybook drama and memorable pennant races, and MLB.com is helping fans usher it in by announcing Wednesday that, along with lowered prices for MLB.TV, its At Bat sale has been extended.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton played a light game of catch before Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, the first step toward returning to action for baseball's leading hitter. Hamilton, whose .361 average is the highest in the majors, hasn't played since bruising his ribs after crashing into the outfield wall in Minnesota last Saturday.

Ricky Nolasco underwent surgery on his right knee Wednesday and ace Josh Johnson returned to Miami to have his inflamed right shoulder and strained back evaluated.

Minus their star catcher, the New York Yankees waited at home plate in a merry pack of pinstripes as Nick Swisher circled the bases following his game-winning home run. Jorge Posada was missing -- but he could be back soon. Swisher hit a two-run homer off Koji Uehara in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday to give New York a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that was soon tempered by news...

A defamation lawsuit against Roger Clemens should be thrown out because the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was merely trying to defend himself against his former personal trainer's doping allegations, Clemens' lawyers argued Wednesday. Clemens should be able to respond to claims "that are disastrous to his reputation without being subject to a lawsuit," attorney Rusty Hardin...

Injured relievers Damaso Marte and Alfredo Aceves are not expected back in the New York Yankees' bullpen this season. New York manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday he thinks both pitchers will miss the rest of the year. Marte has been sidelined since July 8 with inflammation in his left shoulder. Aceves has been out since May 12 with a strained lower back.

A little more than a year ago, Carlos Gonzalez looked like he needed more seasoning in Triple-A. Now, he's a contender for the Triple Crown. "I would say that's rapid development," Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. Gonzalez's remarkable 2 1/2 -week tear has put the Rockies back into the thick of the pennant race and placed him squarely in the hunt to become the first...

In a season that didn't go as planned for Trevor Hoffman, baseball's career saves leader added another milestone to his illustrious career. Hoffman earned his 600th save Tuesday night, closing out the Milwaukee Brewers' 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. A few months ago, Hoffman couldn't have been sure this day would come.

Brewers manager Ken Macha was ejected for the third time this season after the umpires took a run off the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. One quick inning later, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan made an early exit of his own on what suddenly became a very strange night at Miller Park.

Trevor Hoffman added another milestone to his illustrious career, becoming the first pitcher in history with 600 saves by closing out the Brewers' 4-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Mat Latos quickly answered any lingering questions about his health. For extra measure, the 22-year-old San Diego Padres ace ended up with a big league record. Latos bounced back from stomach flu to strike out 10 for the third time in four starts, pitching the NL West leaders to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Mat Latos helped the Padres win for the second time in as many days on Tuesday by striking out 10 and allowing one run in seven innings as San Diego maintained its one-game lead in the NL West with a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays congratulated manager Cito Gaston on his 900th career victory after Toronto beat Texas, 8-5, on Tuesday night, but he wasn't on the bench for 19 of those wins.

San Francisco's push to make the playoffs has gained some serious momentum -- Tim Lincecum is back to his old self. The ultra-lanky right-hander was almost perfect through six innings and three Giants homered Tuesday night in a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. San Francisco has won four straight and six of seven, keeping up the pressure on San Diego in the NL West.

Judging by their reaction after the final out in Tuesday night's 4-2 victory over the Cardinals, you might think the Brewers had just won the World Series.

Tim Lincecum was nearly perfect through six innings Tuesday before giving up three runs in a shaky seventh, but, aided by some slugging, San Francisco preserved its sixth straight win at Chase Field, a 6-3 victory over the D-backs.

Jim Thome hit career home run No. 586 on Tuesday night against the Royals, tying him for eighth place on the all-time home run list with Frank Robinson.

Carlos Gonzalez is hearing something other than the crack of his bat at home plate in Coors Field. Colorado Rockies fans have started paying homage to the outfielder, chanting "M-V-P" in recognition of his memorable season. Gonzalez hit a three-run homer to help the rolling Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive win.

Rookie hurler Jhoulys Chacin gave the Rockies a fourth straight strong outing and streaking outfielder Carlos Gonzalez hit an early three-run homer to propel the Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Reds on Tuesday night at Coors Field.

Of all the things that baseball teaches us, this is surely one of the most time-honored lessons through the generations: Sometimes you really have to work for it. That was vividly true on Tuesday night, as a look around Major League Baseball shows.