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 …

Mariano Rivera gets 600th save in Yankees' 3-2 win  —  SEATTLE — Mariano Rivera earned his 600th save, moving within one of Trevor Hoffman's major league record, by closing out the New York Yankees' 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.  —  Rivera entered with a one-run lead …

Cubs may have to act quickly on Ramirez's 2012 option  —  Club might have to make decision before new GM named  —  CINCINNATI — When the Cubs make the decision on whether to exercise Aramis Ramirez's $16 million option this offseason, one thing they must consider is the possibility …

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.

Verlander earns league-best 23rd win; Tigers beat White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings to earn his major league-best 23rd win and the Detroit Tigers blanked the Chicago White Sox 5-0 on Tuesday night for their 11th consecutive victory.

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.

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 …

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 …

Angels keep pace in West, ride Kendrick's two homers past A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Howie Kendrick homered twice, Erick Aybar scored the go-ahead run on a wild throw home in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Angels picked up a needed and rare win at the Oakland Coliseum, beating the Athletics 6-3 on Tuesday night.

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” …

Citi Field  —  126th Street and Roosevelt Avenue  —  Flushing, NY 11368  —  Capacity  —  42,000  —  HISTORY:  —  Improved amenities and comfort for fans were obvious keys to the design of Citi Field; to create extra leg room and aisle space the ballpark actually holds some 15,000 fewer fans …

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.