Sox creep closer to Tigers with win  —  This one came as a bonus, like finding a nice big bone during baseball's Dog Days of August.  —  Beating the Tigers is really nothing new to the White Sox this season, considering their 8-3 head-to-head mismatch.  Beating the Tigers with four unearned runs …

Astros designate Wilson for assignment  —  Move made to make room for rookie right-hander Hirsh  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros were faced with a difficult decison on Saturday when they had to decide who to remove from the 25-man roster in order to open a spot for rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh.

Rangers' Wells may be out by foot  —  Injury could force right-hander to put off next scheduled start  —  ARLINGTON - Once again, the Rangers' rotation remains uncertain because of questions about Kip Wells' health.  —  Wells is scheduled to pitch Thursday at Detroit …

Girardi intends to fulfill contract  —  PHOENIX — Marlins manager Joe Girardi said Saturday he was not fired by owner Jeffrey Loria last Sunday and he plans to fulfill his three-year managerial contract.  —  "Everyone is going to speculate on what happened.

Olsen loses edge on road  —  PHOENIX — Until Saturday, there was no place like the road for Marlins pitcher Scott Olsen.  —  For no apparent reason, Olsen had been enjoying a 5-1 record this season when not starting at home, where he is 4-4.  —  But in one ugly inning Saturday night at Chase Field …

Boomer busts five-game skid  —  Wells records career victory No. 228 and first of season  —  BOSTON — The uniquely passionate and large fandom that follows the Red Sox couldn't help but be in full-throttle, fret mode on the heels of the club's 1-5 road trip through last-place posts Tampa Bay and Kansas City.

Prior back on DL, could be done for the year  —  DENVER (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed Mark Prior on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with shoulder tendinitis, a move that could mean an end to the right-hander's season.  —  Prior has been on the DL eight times in his four-year career in the majors, including three this season.

The Mets' $oriano in 2007?  —  WASHINGTON — The Mets repeatedly tried to trade for Alfonso Soriano during his final two years in Texas, but they refused to give up Jose Reyes, Scott Kazmir or Lastings Milledge.  —  Once this season is over, however, all Soriano will cost the Mets is money …

Dodgers Take the Lead Out West, for Now  —  WHEN the Los Angeles Dodgers supplanted San Diego in first place in the National League West on Thursday, they completed a remarkable cycle.  Their climb to the top meant they had been in every one of the five places in the division standings since the All-Star Game.

Notes: Howard not all that jazz  —  Ex-trombone player chose right career path, says brother  —  PHILADELPHIA — In the neverending search to learn more about Ryan Howard, this nugget was uncovered: He played the trombone.  —  This gem has been provided by Howard's older brother, Chris …

Notes: Aybar headed to DL  —  Chipper expected back at third for series finale on Sunday  —  ATLANTA — When Chipper Jones comes off the disabled list on Sunday, Willy Aybar will be going on it.  —  Aybar, who has served as the Braves starting third baseman while Jones …

Vazquez angry about his part in Indians maneuvers  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians made a flurry of moves on Saturday, and not everyone loved the results.  —  The Tribe recalled right-hander Jeremy Guthrie from Triple-A Buffalo to start Saturday's second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.

Comcast To Raise Rates for Nationals  —  Comcast Corp. said yesterday that it would raise cable TV rates by $2 a month for its 1.6 million Washington-Baltimore area customers this fall because of the cost of carrying the network that broadcasts most of the Washington Nationals' baseball games.