Yanks, Nova stymie Rays  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Ivan Nova pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning, Curtis Granderson drove in four runs and the New York Yankees moved within one win of a playoff berth by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0 on Tuesday night.  —  Granderson hit a three-run double …

Sources: A's manager Melvin getting 3-yr deal  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have reached agreement on a three-year contract to keep Bob Melvin as their permanent manager, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Blame Theo for reeling BoSox's bare staff  —  The Red Sox have the second-worst September record in the American League.  Their wild-card lead is down to an uncomfortable two games.  They are playing an ugly brand of baseball, and even Theo Epstein and Terry Francona (best organization evah!) are taking criticism.

Infante has designs on staying in Miami  —  Infielder hopes to work out extension after regular season ends  —  MIAMI — Following his dramatic two-out, two-run walk-off homer that gave the Marlins a 6-5 victory over the Braves Monday night, Omar Infante reiterated his hope of receiving a contract extension to stay with the team.

Lasorda to be Dodgers coach on Thursday  —  LOS ANGELES — Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda will serve as an honorary coach Thursday, his 84th birthday and the final home game of the season for the Dodgers.  —  Current manager Don Mattingly made the invitation to Lasorda, whose Dodgers managerial …

Nationals Sweep Phillies in Day-Night Doubleheader  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ross Detwiler outpitched Cliff Lee by tossing 7 1-3 impressive innings and the Washington Nationals beat the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Tuesday night to complete a sweep of their day-night doubleheader.

Mark Trumbo, Vernon Wells homer as Angels beat Blue Jays 10-6  —  TORONTO - Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer, Vernon Wells added a solo shot and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-6 on Tuesday night.  —  Trumbo went 2 for 5 with four RBIs and Erick Aybar stole home …

Berkman talks hit a speed bump  —  • The Cardinals and pending free agent first baseman Lance Berkman remain engaged in talks regarding a one-year contract.  After the talks showed initial signs of promise, an agreement remains elusive because of a difference of opinion over its worth …

Hosmer's five hits lift Royals to romp over Tigers  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Eric Hosmer went 5 for 5 with a three-run homer and Luis Mendoza got his first major league win in more than three years in the Kansas City Royals' 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Glasses stolen off Ernie Harwell statue at Comerica Park in Detroit  —  Someone has stolen a pair of glasses off a statue of late Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell that stands at Comerica Park in Detroit.  —  Columnist Neal Rubin with The Detroit News reports that the team noticed the vandalism …

2011 Gulf Coast League Top 20 Prospects  —  The Yankees have built one of the most productive international programs in the game, and they used that talent and the early signing of league MVP Dante Bichette to carry them to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League championship.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Jonathan Broxton  —  Jonathan Broxton made a name for himself as someone who could overpower just about any hitter with his upper-90s fastball.  He has been sidelined with right arm problems since May 3rd and when he returns there's a good chance we'll see a different kind of pitcher.

Holliday hits off a tee, but status remains uncertain  —  ST. LOUIS — Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday was cleared to take light swings off a batting tee this afternoon as general manager John Mozeliak said there is increased “optimism” about the slugger's availability at some point in the remaining week of the regular season.