BoSox move 7 games up on Yanks, win 11-3 (AP)

At this rate, the relentless Boston Red Sox might eliminate the Yankees sooner than anyone thought. Jason Bay drove in four runs, Dustin Pedroia hit a grand slam and Boston routed the listless Yankees 11-3 on Wednesday night, putting an emphatic dent in New York’s dwindling playoff chances. “I never write the Yankees off until the season’s over and the standings are set,” Pedroia said.

National League Burrell’s power aids Phils, Hamel

Pat Burrell homered and matched his career high with five RBIs, and Cole Hamels pitched seven innings to lead the Phillies past the visiting Dodgers 9-2 on Saturday.

Cardinals end Brewers’ 5-game win streak (AP)

Spurred by the antics of an overly excited Milwaukee Brewers reliever, the St. Louis Cardinals jumped back into the wild-card scrum. Carlos Villanueva’s arm-raising, in-your-face gesture after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the seventh woke up the Cardinals against a team that’s handled them all year, leading to a four-run rally in the eighth inning of a 5-3 victory against the Brewers on Wednesday…

BoSox Pick Up Kotsay From Braves

The Boston Red Sox bolstered their outfield on Wednesday by landing veteran Mark Kotsay from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza.

Brewers stack the Cards to take a 4 1/2 game lead in the wild card

Ben Sheets worked six scoreless innings and Ryan Braun was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St.

Ludwick Leads Cards Past Brewers

Ryan Ludwick finished 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, as St. Louis used a four-run eighth inning to upend Milwaukee, 5-3, and earn a split in the two-game set with the Brewers.

Braves Edge Marlins, 10-9

Yunel Escobar’s single capped a four-run ninth inning against Florida closer Kevin Gregg and gave the Atlanta Braves a 10-9 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night.

Padres deny Webb his 20th win

One bad start down, six more chances for Brandon Webb to get 20 wins. Webb got knocked around in one of his worst starts of the season as the Padres denied him becoming the majors’ first 20-game winner with a …

Zimmerman’s DPs stymie Dodgers in Nats’ 2-1 win

Here’s a tip for a Los Angeles Dodgers team trying to stop a losing streak: Don’t hit the ball to Ryan Zimmerman.

Giants beat Rockies to avoid sweep

Bengie Molina and Pablo Sandoval hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning and the San Francisco Giants avoided a three-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Red Sox acquire CF Kotsay from Braves (AP)

The Boston Red Sox acquired Mark Kotsay from Atlanta for a minor leaguer Wednesday, adding depth to their outfield one day after J.D. Drew went on the disabled list. Kotsay hit .289 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games with the Braves. He arrived at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday before Boston’s game against New York and was available off the bench.

Rays’ Garza ouduels Jays’ Purcey 1-0 (AP)

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon thinks the Rays’ latest victory came in a “really classic kind of a game.” Matt Garza and two relievers combined on a six-hitter and Carlos Pena homered to lead AL East-leading Tampa Bay past Toronto 1-0 Wednesday night. “This team finds a way to win,” Garza said. “It’s amazing.” Garza (11-7) allowed six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 7 2-3 innings for…

Cards end Brewers’ 5-game win streak (AP)

Spurred by the antics of an overly excited Milwaukee Brewers reliever, the St. Louis Cardinals jumped back into the wild-card scrum. Carlos Villanueva’s arm-raising, in-your-face gesture after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the seventh woke up the Cardinals against a team that’s handled them all year, leading to a four-run rally in the eighth inning of a 5-3 victory against the Brewers on Wednesday…

MLB spent $2.5M on instant replay system (AP)

Baseball’s replay central is an 18-by-24 foot room on the fifth floor of a former baking factory in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District that’s crammed with so many computers and television screens that it looks like NASA’s Mission Control. Five monitors stretch across the top of the wall, and beneath are eight, 46-inch screens split into two rows.

Pedroia slam helps BoSox bury Yanks again

White Sox struck gold with Quentin
Last year, anybody could have had Carlos Quentin for a song. Today? Tracy Ringolsby says he’s the frontrunner for the AL MVP.

Surging Cubs sweep Pirates with 2-0 win (AP)

Two bunts, one double and nine well-pitched innings. The Chicago Cubs proved on a Wrigley Field-like day they can win when their bats aren’t booming, and their by-the-textbook victory came before they begin what may be their toughest stretch all season. Jason Marquis shut down Pittsburgh’s batters on a cool, windy day that must have made the Cubs feel at home, and Chicago turned two well-placed…

Indians win 10th straight, beat Tigers (AP)

It’s been a schizophrenic season for the Cleveland Indians. Kelly Shoppach homered and drove in three runs and Shin-Soo Choo also went deep to lift the Cleveland Indians to their 10th straight win, 9-7 over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. The Indians also lost 10 in a row earlier this season, becoming the first team with such double-digit streaks since Tampa Bay won and lost 12 in a row in…

Yankees treading on thin ice
Yankees treading on thin ice Sidney Ponson struggled to pitch into the fifth inning and Dustin Pedroia’s first career grand slam highlighted a seven-run roughing up of the Yankees‘ bullpen, dropping an 11-3 decision at Yankee Stadium and the first two games of a series that manager Joe Girardi had characterized as crucial for their chances.

Johnson goes distance for first time
Johnson goes distance for first time Josh Johnson threw his first career complete game, holding the Braves to four hits on Wednesday night, while Dan Uggla homered and scored three runs in the Marlins‘ 4-1 win.

Down but never out: Cards rally late
Down but never out: Cards rally late Facing a loss that in all practicality would have dealt their playoff aspirations a near-mortal blow, the Cardinals rallied for a rousing 5-3 win over the Brewers at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night.

Three homers can’t stop Dodgers’ skid
Maddux can’t stop skid The Dodgers hit three solo home runs on Wednesday, but their continued struggles with men in scoring position led to a 5-4 loss to the Nationals at Nationals Park.

Guillen’s yelling match with fan irks GM
Moore not satisfied with Guillen Dayton Moore was not pleased that right fielder Jose Guillen got in a shouting match with a fan on Tuesday night, calling the incident “unfortunate.”

Lincecum lowers ERA to Majors’ best
Lincecum lowers ERA to Majors’ best Bengie Molina and Pablo Sandoval hit consecutive home runs to back Tim Lincecum’s 10-strikeout performance as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies, 4-1, Wednesday night to avoid a series sweep.

Boston Red Sox (75-55) at New York Yankees (70-60),

The Boston Red Sox make what in all likelihood will be their final visit to the current Yankee Stadium this evening, as they kick off a critical three-game series with the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

Twins-Mariners Preview

After a three-month stint in the minors, August couldn’t be going much better for the left-hander. Liriano looks to win his fifth straight start this month as the Twins try to recapture first place in the …

Report: Red Sox close to getting Kotsay from Braves

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly close to a deal that will land outfielder Mark Kotsay from the Atlanta Braves.

Cubs handling national attention well

Times have changed since Lou Piniella managed the Yankees in the late 1980s. Uniforms are baggier, players wear fewer mustaches and day by day, more media come knocking on the manager’s door.

Brewers go up 4 1-2 on Cards, win 12-0 (AP)

Finally, Ben Sheets had the upper hand against the St. Louis Cardinals. He picked a perfect time to best a team that has given him fits, beating them in a game with postseason implications. Sheets worked six scoreless innings in a 12-0 victory Tuesday night that provided some breathing room for the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL wild card race.

Red Sox acquire CF Kotsay from Braves (AP)
Center fielder Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, only one day after Boston put J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain. The 32-year-old Kotsay hit .289 with six home runs and 37 runs batted in 88 games with the Braves. He was scratched from Tuesday night’s starting lineup, raising speculation that a trade was pending.

A-Rod 0-for-5 as Yankees fall to Red Sox (AP)

When the Yankees needed Alex Rodriguez at his best, he had one of his worst games. Tim Wakefield won in his return from the disabled list and the Boston Red Sox moved a step closer to squashing New York’s playoff hopes, beating Andy Pettitte and the Yankees 7-3 Tuesday night. Rodriguez flopped in crucial spots all night.

For Angels’ John Lackey, it’s another W against A’s

John Lackey has had a huge hand — and arm — in shifting the balance of power in the American League West toward Anaheim this decade, with a 33-18 career record against Seattle, Oakland and Texas since 2002.

Angels, Twins to close out series between division leaders

Ervin Santana tries for win No. 14 when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wrap up a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins this afternoon at Angel Stadium.

Lee’s 19th win is Tribe’s ninth straight (AP)

Cliff Lee has been pitching well all season. Now the rest of the Cleveland Indians are performing as well as their ace. Lee earned his American League-leading 19th win and Ben Francisco hit two home runs in the Cleveland Indians‘ ninth straight victory, 10-4 over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach hit back-to-back homers for Cleveland, which overtook Detroit for…

Pirates send reliever Hansen to minors (AP)
Right-hander Craig Hansen, struggling with his control since being traded to Pittsburgh last month, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday. The Pirates picked up the contract of right-hander Jesse Chavez from their top farm club. Hansen, obtained from Boston in the three-team trade that sent outfielder Jason Bay to the Red Sox on July 31, was 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA in nine games with…

Angels drop series opener to Oakland

Dallas Braden pitched seven masterful innings, Daric Barton homered and the Oakland Athletics beat the AL West-leading Angels, 2-1, tonight in Anaheim.

Phillies rally to beat Mets and reclaim first place
The New York Mets‘ beleaguered bullpen blew another one.

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Soto drives in 7 as Cubs top Bucs 14-9 (AP)

Alfonso Soriano dropped a routine fly ball in Pittsburgh for the second time in four months, giving the Chicago Cubs flashbacks. The team with the majors’ best record need not have worried. Geovany Soto still had another at-bat to go. Soto drove in seven runs and his second three-run double of the game keyed a seven-run eighth inning, helping the Cubs rally for a 14-9 victory over the Pirates on…

Angels drop series opener to Oakland

Dallas Braden pitched seven masterful innings, Daric Barton homered and the Oakland Athletics beat the AL West-leading Angels, 2-1, tonight in Anaheim.

Twins drop fourth straight, 3-2 to M’s (AP)

That Minnesota Twins‘ joyride that landed them in the thick of a pennant race is starting to grind — just when it needs to soar. Seattle’s Jose Lopez drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and Roy Corcoran got his first career save in the Mariners‘ 3-2 victory Tuesday night, the Twins‘ fourth consecutive loss.

Lee’s 19th win is Tribe’s ninth straight (AP)

Cliff Lee has been pitching well all season. Now the rest of the Cleveland Indians are performing as well as their ace. Lee earned his American League-leading 19th win and Ben Francisco hit two home runs in the Cleveland Indians‘ ninth straight victory, 10-4 over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach hit back-to-back homers for Cleveland, which overtook Detroit for…

Cliff Lee wins 19th, helps Indians win ninth straight
Cliff Lee got his American League-leading 19th win and Ben Francisco hit two home runs in the Cleveland Indians‘ ninth straight …

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Red Sox put outfielder Drew on DL with back strain
J.D. Drew has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain, leaving the Boston Red Sox without their All-Star …

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Arizona’s Webb denied 20th win by Padres (AP)

One bad start down, six more chances for Brandon Webb to get 20 wins. Webb got knocked around in one of his worst starts of the season as the San Diego Padres denied him becoming the majors’ first 20-game winner with a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Webb (19-5) lost in his first bid to become the NL’s first 20-game winner since 2005 with one of his few bad outings,…

Boston Red Sox (75-55) at New York Yankees (70-60),

The Boston Red Sox make what in all likelihood will be their final visit to the current Yankee Stadium this evening, as they kick off a critical three-game series with the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

Yastrzemski released from hospital (AP)
Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski was released from a hospital Tuesday, one week after having triple bypass surgery. The former Boston Red Sox outfielder had surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital after experiencing chest pains. His discharge was announced by team spokesman John Blake. Yastrzemski, the last player to hit for the Triple Crown by leading the AL in batting average, homers and…

A-Rod flops as Wakefield pitches Red Sox past Yanks
Alex Rodriguez flopped all night when the New York Yankees needed a big hit.

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No. 4: Rooftop seats offer best of both worlds at Wrigley Field
If you could sit anywhere at any ballpark in the major leagues, where would it be? USA TODAY combined nominations from readers …

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Brewers stack the Cards to take a 4 1/2 game lead in the wild card

Ben Sheets worked six scoreless innings and Ryan Braun was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St.

No. 3: Stars easy to see on field, in stands at Dodger Stadium
If you could sit anywhere at any ballpark in the major leagues, where would it be? USA TODAY combined nominations from readers …

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Cliff Lee wins 19th, helps Indians win ninth straight
Cliff Lee got his American League-leading 19th win and Ben Francisco hit two home runs in the Cleveland Indians‘ ninth straight …

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Twins blow chance to move into 1st-place tie

Adrian Beltre homered off Jesse Crain in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Seattle Mariners kept Minnesota out of first place in the AL Central with a 4-2 win over the Twins on Monday night.

Beijing gives way to baseball pennant races
There are only 1,431 shopping days until the Opening Ceremony in London. So while we wait, could someone please update the baseball …

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Twins-Mariners Preview

After a three-month stint in the minors, August couldn’t be going much better for the left-hander. Liriano looks to win his fifth straight start this month as the Twins try to recapture first place in the …

Webb’s first try at milestone ends in loss
Webb’s first try at milestone a loss Brandon Webb fell short in his first bid for his 20th win, as he allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 D-backs loss to the Padres on Tuesday. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only offense.

Sox reportedly close to landing Kotsay
Report: Sox close to landing Kotsay With J.D. Drew’s return to the Boston lineup uncertain at best, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein could be on the verge of reeling in a most capable replacement in veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay.

Floyd strengthens Sox hold on first
Sox strengthen hold on first With six runs scored in the first four innings, the White Sox cruised to an 8-3 victory over the hapless Orioles at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.

Beckett cleared to make Friday start
Beckett ready to go for Sox on Friday In desperate need of some good news on the medical front, the Red Sox got some on Tuesday afternoon when Josh Beckett had a successful side session and was given clearance to make his start on Friday night against the White Sox.

Angels, Twins to close out series between division leaders

Ervin Santana tries for win No. 14 when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wrap up a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins this afternoon at Angel Stadium.

Padres snap 7-game skid on Gerut’s homer in 9th

Jody Gerut hit a two-run homer off Jon Rauch in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the San Diego Padres snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Monday night.

Pedro Feliz lifts Phillies to 5-2 win over Dodgers

Pedro Feliz hit a tying RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and delivered a three-run homer with two outs in the 11th to lift the Philadelphia Phillies over the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 Sunday night.

The Phillies closed within a half-game of the NL East-leading New York Mets, while Los Angeles remained three games behind Arizona in the West.

After the Phillies rallied off closer Jonathan Broxton in the ninth, the Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th against Chad Durbin (5-2), but couldn’t score.

Francis sharp in win over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO - Jeff Francis got his first victory in more than two months, Yorvit Torrealba homered Monday night and the Colorado Rockies won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating the San Francisco Giants …

Cubs beat Pirates with 7-run 8th, 7 Soto RBIs

Geovany Soto drove in seven runs and the Chicago Cubs overcame Alfonso Soriano’s second dropped fly ball in Pittsburgh this season to rally for a 14-9 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night.

Mets place P Maine on DL, activate 2B Castillo

The New York Mets placed pitcher John Maine on the 15-day disabled list with a bone spur in his right shoulder.

Hardy lifts Brewers in 12th on his bobblehead day

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher CC Sabathia pitches to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug.

Myers, Rollins help Phillies sweep Dodgers

Brett Myers tossed seven gritty innings, Jimmy Rollins had three hits and two RBIs, and the Philadelphia Phillies completed their first four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 23 years with a 5-0 win Monday night.

Philadelphia remained a half-game behind the NL East-leading New York Mets with its eighth victory in 10 games since losing four straight at Dodger Stadium. The Mets visit Tuesday for a two-game set.