Guillen a strong Clemente pick for Tigers  —  Infielder has aided various causes including hospitals, kids  —  DETROIT — Carlos Guillen has been trying to help people in his Venezuelan hometown of Maracay since he became a Major Leaguer.  He's been giving a helping hand in Detroit since soon …

Jason Varitek wants to play; status with Boston Red Sox unclear  —  BOSTON — Catcher Jason Varitek celebrated his return to game action Tuesday after missing 58 games with a fractured right foot by reiterating his hopes of playing another few years, which he'd first expressed back in spring training.

Polanco's big hit lifts Phillies into first place  —  PHILADELPHIA—Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 8-7 Tuesday night to move into first place in the NL East.  —  The Phillies moved a half-game ahead of Atlanta, which lost 5-0 in Pittsburgh.

Twins batter Royals, up AL Central lead  —  Liriano sharp, Thome ties for eighth place on HR list in win  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Extending their lead in the American League Central race has proven to be a difficult task for the Twins recently.  —  Despite having won six of their last seven …

White Sox RHP Garcia leaves start with stiff back  —  DETROIT—Chicago White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia has left his start against the Detroit Tigers after two innings with a stiff lower back.  —  Garcia came out with Chicago trailing 2-1 on Tuesday night.  He allowed three hits …

Mets visit troops at Walter Reed in DC  —  WASHINGTON — Most astonishing to R.A. Dickey were not the stories of the soldiers he met Tuesday at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.  It was the fact that so many of those patients said that, if given the chance, they would go back overseas to serve their country again.

CC stuck on 19 wins as O's prevail  —  Yanks' ace takes second loss in 19 career starts vs. Baltimore  —  NEW YORK — CC Sabathia insisted that the hovering milestone of his first 20-win season was “not at all” in his mind when he walked to the mound.  But it was the Orioles who erased all chances by the time he exited.

Braves fall out of first after loss to Pirates  —  Atlanta drops to second place, a half-game behind Philadelphia  —  PITTSBURGH — Right-hander James McDonald won a pitching duel with Braves ace Tim Hudson as the Pirates continued to play the spoiler role and downed the Braves, 5-0, at PNC Park on Tuesday night.

Jays re-up with Lansing, add Bluefield  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have made a concerted effort of late to further commit themselves to scouting and player development.  Continuing with that trend, the organization announced on Tuesday it was re-upping with one Minor League affiliate and adding a new one to the fold.

Beckham out again with pain in right hand  —  After playing 3 games, 2nd baseman says pain has returned in different area  —  DETROIT — Bothered and irritated were two ways to describe second baseman Gordon Beckham and the recurrence of his sore right hand.

As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On  —  It's the gift that keeps on taking.  The old Giants Stadium, demolished to make way for New Meadowlands Stadium, still carries about $110 million in debt, or nearly $13 for every New Jersey resident, even though it is now a parking lot.

Showalter a stickler for BP etiquette  —  AND KEN DAVIDOFF. anthony.rieber@newsday.com., ken.davidoff@newsday.com  —  Orioles manager Buck Showalter is known for his attention to detail.  One of those details crept up in the outfield Monday morning at Yankee Stadium.