Exclusive: Daily News uncovers bizarre plot by San Francisco Giants' Melky Cabrera to use fake website and duck drug suspension  —  The scheme began unfolding in July as Cabrera and his representatives scrambled to explain a spike in the former Yankee's testosterone levels.

Adrian Gonzalez off the hook as NY Mets' Kelly Shoppach takes fall for Boston's text mutiny  —  Several sources say Gonzalez had nothing to do with the message's content  —  BY ANDY MARTINO IN WASHINGTON AND ROGER RUBIN IN NEW YORK / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS  —  Adrian Gonzalez (below) …

Mets' payroll likely won't change  —  WASHINGTON — Looking for the New York Mets to spend their way out of their doldrums during the upcoming offseason?  Don't count on it, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com.  —  Although general manager Sandy Alderson publicly said last week …

Alvarez tries to deliver series win for Jays over Rangers  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Matt Harrison will try to overcome his troubles with the Blue Jays today as the Texas Rangers conclude their three-game series with Toronto at Rogers Centre.

Rays rally from 8 runs down to beat Angels 10-8  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Tampa Bay Rays went through Dan Haren and Jered Weaver in the first two games of this series against the Los Angeles Angels as though they were journeyman pitchers.  Then C.J. Wilson came along, and the same thing happened.

Cubs' prospect Soler getting into swing of things  —  APPLETON, Wis. — Jorge Soler seems much bigger in person than his listed 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.  But to get a feel for how special the Cuban outfielder is, you need to hear him hit.  —  The cage at the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' ballpark …

Question of whether the NY Mets should deal Johan Santana is a pricey proposition  —  Santana is not Cliff Lee, not in 2012.  He underwent major shoulder surgery in September of 2010 and has allowed six earned runs or more in five consecutive starts, a Mets record.  —  Johan Santana (l.) is pulled in second inning on Aug. 11.

Astros name Triple-A's DeFrancesco new skipper … HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have named Tony DeFrancesco interim manager a day after firing Brad Mills.  —  DeFrancesco was the manager of Houston's Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.  —  In his third season running the Astros …

Jon Lester is a keeper for Red Sox  —  You are reading this article for FREE courtesy of BostonGlobe.com.  Get unlimited access.  —  NEW YORK — It's all about 2013 now.  The Red Sox need to use this final month and a half to figure out whom to dump and whom to keep.  —  Jon Lester is a keeper.

History comes alive for Civil Rights Game  —  Dodgers great Newcombe, Olympic gold medalist Pender with powerful stories to tell  —  ATLANTA — Don Newcombe holds the letter in his hand, and you can tell he cherishes its contents.  —  Newcombe is 86 years old.

Source: Starlin Castro gets extension  —  Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $60 million, a source told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.  —  The contract covers four years of arbitration eligibility and three years of free agency, and includes a $16 million option for 2020.

Yoenis Cespedes, Bartolo Colon carry A's to win over Indians  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Yoenis Cespedes homered and drove in three runs, Bartolo Colon won his third consecutive start at home and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians 8-5 on Saturday night.

Davis Powers Orioles Past Tigers 3-2  —  DETROIT (AP) — Chris Davis hit a three-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles snapped the Detroit Tigers' four-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory on Saturday night.  —  Adam Jones and Matt Wieters opened the seventh inning with consecutive singles off Rick Porcello (9-8).

Rockies will likely make push to bring back lefty Jeff Francis  —  Jeff Francis won't solve the Rockies' myriad pitching woes.  He's not the rotation's savior and he's never again going to be an ace like he was during the 2007 World Series season.  —  But there are strong indications …