Red Sox Drop 3rd Straight, 5-3 Loss to Indians  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Before his team's game against Cleveland, Boston manager Bobby Valentine expressed confidence that the Red Sox were ready to make a run at the playoffs.  —  Asked why he held that opinion, Valentine said, “We're due.”

Billy Butler helps Royals top O's to spoil Manny Machado's debut  —  BALTIMORE — Billy Butler came within a single of hitting for the cycle, and the Kansas City Royals beat Baltimore 8-2 on Thursday night to end the Orioles' five-game winning streak and take the luster off Manny Machado's impressive major league debut.

Moore sharp for six as Rays sweep Blue Jays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Moore pitched six sharp innings and Jose Lobaton drove in three runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 Thursday for a three-game sweep.  —  Tampa Bay has won 16 straight series against Toronto at Tropicana Field.

Amaro doesn't have many options at third for Phillies in 2013  —  When Ruben Amaro Jr. recently engaged a few of his rival general managers in discussions, the topic of third base arose, and they all reached one conclusion: It is a difficult position to fill.  —  “Somebody's going to play there,” Amaro said.

Soriano's HR lifts Cubs over slumping Reds 5-3  —  CHICAGO—Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the slumping Cincinnati Reds on a rain-soaked Thursday night.  —  With the score tied at 3 …

Teixeira, Chavez HRs Help Yankees Top Tigers 4-3  —  DETROIT (AP) — Mark Teixeira and Eric Chavez hit solo home runs on consecutive pitches in the eighth inning that put New York ahead, and the Yankees held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 Thursday.  —  Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected …

Playoffs open with inaugural Wild Card games Oct. 5  —  Major League Baseball on Thursday announced the schedule for its revamped postseason, which will open on Friday, Oct. 5, with the inaugural Wild Card games and run through the 108th World Series, set to get under way on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Dickey wins 15th as Mets stop long home skid  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  R.A. Dickey goes distance as Mets snap 9-game home slide  —  NEW YORK — R.A. Dickey pitched a complete game for his NL-leading 15th win, stopping Jose Reyes' 26-game hitting streak …

Dodgers' Abreu accepts assignment to minors  —  Bobby Abreu has cleared waivers and accepted a minor-league assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the veteran outfielder's agent said Thursday.  —  The Dodgers designated Abreu for assignment last week to create a spot on the roster …

Yankees unsure of Pettitte return date  —  DETROIT — With Ivan Nova getting spanked the past two outings and Freddy Garcia failing to provide consistent length, the Yankees' rotation requires a boost.  —  That is expected to be supplied by Andy Pettitte, but general manager Brian Cashman …

Pitching coach Radinsky dismissed; Niebla interim  —  Indians' starting pitching has fared poorly, contributing to difficult season  —  Scott Radinsky (center) was in his first season as pitching coach of the Indians.  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians' prolonged and persistent struggles …

Kubel homers twice as Diamondbacks beat Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH — Jason Kubel homered twice, Joe Saunders pitched seven effective innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 on Thursday.  —  Both of Kubel's home runs immediately followed hits by Aaron Hill.