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.

Billingsley in the Rotation 'Right Now'  —  The Dodgers' patience with rookie Chad Billingsley appears to be eroding.  After the latest start in which he walked too many and taxed the bullpen again, Manager Grady Little said it was "in discussion" whether Billingsley would make his next start …

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.

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.