J.A. Happ lasts four innings in debut as Jays fall to Rays  —  James Shields threw eight strong innings, Evan Longoria drove in a run in his return from an injury, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Tuesday night.  —  Shields (10-7) allowed one run and two hits.

Designated hitter is now a role more than a player  —  David Ortiz wasn't even born when the American League introduced the newfangled designated hitter rule in 1973.  With the one-time innovation now in its 40th season and embedded into baseball at all levels, though, no player is more emblematic of the position.

Hamels Tosses 5-Hitter as Phillies Beat Braves 3-0  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels threw a five-hitter for his fifth career shutout, Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Atlanta 3-0 Tuesday night to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Braves.

Live updates: Rangers at Red Sox  —  Bottom of 9th, 2 out: Rangers 6, Red Sox 3: Pedroia wound up getting ejected by Nauert when he argued David Murphy had swung before getting hit by Craig Breslow's pitch.  Nauert heard enough and gave Pedroia the heave-ho, marking the second ejection of his career.

Mets won't eat Jason Bay's contract  —  NEW YORK — On the day the Mets announced that left fielder Jason Bay will become a platoon player, general manager Sandy Alderson said the Mets have no plans to swallow the final guaranteed season of his four-year, $66 million contract.

Agreement in place for Padres sale to local group  —  SAN DIEGO — John Moores, the majority owner of the Padres since 1995, has signed an agreement to sell the National League team to a group that would be headed by long-time local San Diego businessman Ron Fowler and include the nephews …

FAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY POINTING LASER AT PITCHER, MANAGER IN BUSCH STADIUM  —  ST. LOUIS  • City police arrested a 17-year-old boy from the Ladue area for allegedly pointing a green laser at the opposing team's pitcher and at Cardinals manager Mike Matheny in Busch Stadium during Monday night's game.

Entire Marlins organization can expect thorough post-season review from “angry” owner Jeffrey Loria  —  NEW YORK —  No matter how the Marlins play each season, the front office always meets in October to review the organization's performance.  —  Given that the club …

Final Score: Marlins 4 Mets 2  —  The Mets (53-57) lost to the Marlins (50-60) by the score of 4-2 tonight at Cit Field.  —  Jonathon Niese took the loss allowing four runs - all in fourth inning - on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings pitched.

Tuesday's pitching preview: Niese vs. LeBlanc  —  Jon Niese (8-5, 3.72 ERA) will start for the Mets tonight.  —  Niese is coming off a very strong start against the Giants in which he allowed one run and three hits in seven innings.  Niese has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last 13 starts …

Pitcher Matt Garza out indefinitely, perhaps for season  —  Matt Garza hasn't pitched since leaving with stiffness in his right elbow July 21 in St. Louis.  Gene J. Puskar~AP  —  SAN DIEGO — They couldn't sign him to an extension.  They couldn't trade him.

Tigers' Justin Verlander strikes out 14 Yankees as Ivan Nova roughed up again in loss to Detroit  —  Bombers' right-hander touched up for 11 hits and seven earned runs in just 5-1/3 innings while Tigers ace is masterful in 7-2 victory.  —  Yankees' Ivan Nova can only watch as Miguel Cabrera rounds the bases in the background.

Ottavino, Rockies beat Dodgers 2-0  —  LOS ANGELES—Adam Ottavino gave up one hit in three innings of relief, a single that was the result of a reversed call, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 Monday night.  —  Ottavino (3-1) took over in the fifth inning for a tiring Drew Pomeranz.

Weaver's four-hitter leads Angels past Athletics  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Jered Weaver pitched a four-hitter for his major-league leading 15th victory, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Monday night to overtake the final spot in the crowded AL wild card standings.

Vargas excels, but Mariners lose to Orioles 3-1  —  BALTIMORE—Jason Vargas went the distance, kept the Baltimore Orioles scoreless after the second inning and didn't issue a walk.  —  Unfortunately, Chris Tillman was even better.  —  Tillman took a three-hit shutout into the eighth …