Report: Selig angry Mets took hat flap public  —  New York Mets manager Terry Collins says “hat flap” has become a distraction.  Bud Selig would reportedly take it a step further.  —  The Major League Baseball commissioner called the Mets on Sunday night irate that the Mets had gone public …

David Ortiz exits game with back spasms  —  Here's some potentially bad news for the reeling Red Sox.  —  Brian McPherson of the Providence Journal reports that David Ortiz left tonight's game against the Blue Jays due to back spasms.  Ortiz was in the original starting lineup as the designated hitter …

Aaron at the movies: “Moneyball” review  —  Last night I attended an advance screening of the “Moneyball” movie, which is set for a wide release on September 23.  —  I've read Michael Lewis' book twice and consider it some of the best, most important baseball writing of all time …

Barmes' 3-run homer leads Astros over Phillies 5-2  —  HOUSTON—Clint Barmes hit a three-run homer and J.A. Happ pitched six solid innings against his former team as the Houston Astros beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Tuesday night, preventing the Phillies from wrapping up a playoff spot.

La Russa hates losing, loves overmanaging  —  For some reason, the Tony La Russa moment I always remember is his postgame television interview after his Oakland A's got swept by the underdog Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 World Series.  I don't remember the reporter, only that La Russa …

HRs by McCann, Uggla Carry Braves Past Marlins 7-1  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann and Dan Uggla each hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves snapped their longest losing streak of the season, beating the Florida Marlins 7-1 Tuesday night to end a four-game skid.

Braves call rare meeting to ‘get mojo back’  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Mired in their first four-game losing streak of the season, the Atlanta Braves called a rare team meeting before facing the Florida Marlins.  —  Third baseman Chipper Jones says the meeting Tuesday was “basically a circling of the wagons” …

Phillips homers to back Leake as Reds end three-game skid  —  CINCINNATI, Ohio — Brandon Phillips homered again, hitting a leadoff shot that helped Mike Leake and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Tuesday night and end a three-game losing streak.  —  Phillips homered for the third time in two games.

Final Score: Nationals 3 Mets 2  —  The Mets lost to the Nationals by the score of 3-2 tonight at Citi Field.  —  The Mets have now lost four games in a row, are 71-77 for the year, and are now tied with Washington in the loss column for third place in the National League East.

Marlins Release Mike Cameron  —  The Marlins released center fielder Mike Cameron after last night's win in Atlanta, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.  The move drops the team's 40-man roster to 39, though it'd fill back up if Scott Cousins is activated from the 60-day DL.

Manny Ramirez out of jail after battery charge  —  Former baseball star Manny Ramirez has been released from jail after deputies say he struck his wife during an argument.  —  The 2004 World Series MVP walked out of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., jail Tuesday after spending the night.

Grit, speed help Gathright return to BoSox  —  The Red Sox were looking for a player who could steal a base.  They found him in Yuma, Ariz., at the end of his independent league season, on a 115-degree day.  —  With his agent throwing him batting practice, no less.

Tigers roaring toward postseason  —  Flaws fixed through trades, Detroit's suddenly the hottest team in the game  —  Stop us if you've heard this line before:  —  In October, it isn't the best team that wins the World Series.  It's the hottest team.  —  Well, if that's true …

Josh Beckett set for Thursday or Friday; Bobby Jenks diagnosed with embolism  —  You want Red Sox news?  We have Red Sox news:  —  • Josh Beckett will start Thursday or Friday.  His right foot feels good and he will talk to the specialist today.  Then, presumably, they'll reach a decision about which day he pitches.

Willingham's three-run homer helps A's beat Angels  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Josh Willingham hit his 25th home run and drove in four runs to help the Oakland Athletics chase starter Joel Pineiro early again in a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.