Bobby Cox is still waiting for the one retirement gift he wants most of all — one last trip to the postseason. It's a gift that could keep him in the dugout a few weeks longer. "I'll have time to reflect on what has happened this year and throughout my time in Atlanta in about another month and a half," Cox told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

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Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer as the first-place San Francisco Giants remained two games ahead of San Diego in the NL West with a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. The Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 at home. San Francisco lowered its magic number to three to clinch the club's first division title and playoff spot since 2003.

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An hour later, the Cincinnati Reds' long overdue party was still going full-spray in the infield. MVP candidate Joey Votto puffed on a soggy cigar and blew clouds of smoke into the cool night air. Mohawk-adorned outfielder Jonny Gomes traipsed across the grass in a white robe that covered his beer-and-champagne-soaked uniform.

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Nine straight losing seasons. A 15-year playoff drought. The Cincinnati Reds washed it all away with one swing of the bat.

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Paul Maholm limited Houston to one run over seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time all season, and the Pittsburgh Pirates turned catcher Jason Castro's throwing error into their first two runs during a 9-3 victory over the Astros on Sunday. Maholm (9-15) avoided adding to his NL-leading loss total, permitting Carlos Lee's two-out RBI double in the first before shutting…

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If only the Pittsburgh Pirates could take a nine-game sliver like this and extend it over 162 games. Paul Maholm limited Houston to one run over seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time all season, and the Pirates turned catcher Jason Castro's throwing error into their first two runs during a 9-3 victory over the Astros on Sunday.

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As the regular season winds down, 22 teams are facing an offseason filled with golf rounds and hot-stove…

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Matt Cain carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, pitching the San Francisco Giants past the fading Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Sunday and back into first place in the NL West.

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Pedro Alvarez is finishing his rookie season with a flourish. Alvarez hit a three-run homer and Zach Duke pitched into the seventh inning for the second consecutive start, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. The second overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Alvarez has reached base safely in 13 straight games and 23 of his last 24.

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Chris Denorfia doubled in the winning run off hard-throwing rookie Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth inning, giving the San Diego Padres a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday and a share of the NL West lead with San Francisco.

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