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.

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.

Final: : Rangers 6, Red Sox 4  —  Final: Rangers 6, Red Sox 3: The Sox had their modest two-game winning streak snapped in a 6-3 loss to the Rangers before a Fenway Park crowd of 38,416, the largest of the season.  —  The Sox (55-56) rallied for three runs in the seventh on a 3-run pinch-hit homer …

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.

Indians' Streak Hits 11 With 7-5 Loss to Twins  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Tsuyoshi Nishioka's sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 7-5 victory over Cleveland, sending the Indians to their 11th straight loss.

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.

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 …

Chen gets win as Royals beat White Sox 5-2  —  CHICAGO—Bruce Chen outpitched Jake Peavy for his first win in six weeks, Billy Butler hit his career-high 22nd homer and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 5-2 on Tuesday night.  —  The White Sox had won 10 of 13 but saw their lead …

Johnson's Homers Lead D-Backs Over Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Johnson homered in the eighth and ninth innings Tuesday night, giving him five in eight games since being acquired in a trade, to rally the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 10-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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 …

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.

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.

Tillman leads Orioles past Mariners 3-1  —  BALTIMORE—Chris Tillman took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning to extend a run of successful starts by Baltimore pitchers, and the Orioles beat Jason Vargas and the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday night.  —  Nick Markakis homered …

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.