Verlander nabs 1st win in month to lead Tigers  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Justin Verlander nabs first win in a month as Tigers cap road trip  —  CHICAGO — Justin Verlander pitched eight solid innings for his first win in a month …

Greinke admits he was bad guy in Royals saga  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Nobody does honest like Zack Greinke.  Because modern athletes have conditioned us to expect canned analysis, hollow words and cadaverous personalities, there is something so satisfying in somebody unburdened by what others might think.

Volquez Pitches Padres Past Mariners 6-2 for Sweep  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Edinson Volquez pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres beat the skidding Seattle Mariners 6-2 Thursday night for their first series sweep of the season.  —  Volquez (3-6) was in command all night …

Baker fires back at Lowe with explosive accusations  —  Dusty Baker responded angrily to Cleveland starter Derek Lowe's postgame rant against him.  Lowe said he didn't respect Baker over some incident a few years ago.  —  Here's what Baker said:  —  “He had some words for me.

Not on All-Star ballot?  Harper, Trout all write  —  Both rookies trying to become first write-in pick to start since '74  —  This is a highly unusual season for the All-Star Game selection process.  With the Midsummer Classic in Kansas City a month away, a case can be made that the most exciting …

Indians Grab Naquin For $1.75 Million  —  The Indians have agreed on a $1.75 million bonus with first-rounder Tyler Naquin, pending a physical.  —  A Texas A&M product, Naquin was one of the best pure hitters and had one of the strongest outfield arms in this year's draft.

Luke Scott headed to 15 day disabled list  —  Designated hitter Luke Scott has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday, June 8.  Scott has stiffness in his middle back, which he says he injured Friday against the Marlins.  He will continue rehab work and says he should be ready …

For NY Mets ace Johan Santana, Terry Collins' concern over no-hitter did more harm than good  —  Well-rested hurler still looking to rein in over-aggressiveness  —  Johan Santana puts up another stinker - his second bad outing since throwing the first no-hitter in Mets history.

Cardinals Agree To Sign Carson Kelly  —  The Cardinals have agreed to sign second-round pick Carson Kelly to a $1.6MM bonus, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (Twitter link).  Kelly's bonus is almost triple the recommended $574.3K bonus for the 86th overall pick and, as Callis notes …

HOW SUCCESS BRED A MONSTER: THEO EPSTEIN CONSIDERS HIS RED SOX LEGACY  —  CHICAGO — It was not the final note that Theo Epstein wanted in Boston.  —  The former Red Sox general manager has plenty that is keeping him energized in what he calls the “next chapter” of his baseball life …

Hurlers return to glory after being written off  —  Santana, Peavy, Zito, Capuano have rediscovered winning forms  —  These guys were supposed to be done.  Whether because of injuries, age or simple ineffectiveness over the past few seasons, they were not only considered to be past their primes …

Matt Cain's Place in History  —  Matt Cain just threw the 22nd perfect game in baseball history, which is of course an amazing accomplishment.  But, through the way he dominated on the way to his perfect game, Cain actually joined an even more exclusive club - guys who have posted a Game Score above 100 in a nine inning game.