Joe Girardi to manage Game 4  —  Joe Girardi will continue to manage the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series despite the recent death of his father.  —  Girardi has managed the entire ALDS since his father, Jerry, died Saturday at the age of 81.  —  Joe Girardi acknowledged Thursday …

Nationals despised for sitting Strasburg  —  Bob Nightengale: Baseball executives say the Washington Nationals' playoff run is not a feel-good story.  —  Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo turned a lot of heads when he said the club will be back to win a couple more NL East titles.

Brad Ausmus to interview for Red Sox manager job  —  The Red Sox will interview Brad Ausmus next week for the team's manager position, the Globe's Nick Cafardo has confirmed.  —  Ausmus, a special assistant to the general manager for the San Diego Padres, turned down a chance to interview for the Astros' manager position.

Former major leaguer Champ Summers dies in Florida  —  OCALA, Fla. (AP) - Former Major League Baseball player John “Champ” Summers has died in north Florida.  He was 66.  —  Summers' wife, Joy, says he passed away Thursday after a 2 1/2-year battle with kidney cancer.

Giants beat Reds 6-4, win NLDS on Posey's slam  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Buster Posey hit the third grand slam in Giants' postseason history, and San Francisco completed its startling comeback by holding off the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 Thursday in the decisive Game 5 of the NL division series.

Inbox: Hamilton, free-agent frenzy and the future  —  Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions  —  Given Josh Hamilton's situation and past history, it would seem that other teams will be reluctant to pursue him, especially if the Rangers aren't willing to step up immediately and sign him right now.

Scott hopes to return to Rays for healthy 2013 season  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Luke Scott's signing prior to the 2012 season appeared to bring the Rays a much-needed thumper for an anemic offense.  —  Yes, the veteran slugger was coming off right-shoulder surgery and had not fully recovered …

A's set to remove tarp from third deck  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff says the team will remove the tarps covering more than 11,000 seats from part of the upper deck at the Coliseum if the team advances to the AL championship series.

PIN PLACED IN PEDROIA'S FINGER FOR FOUR WEEKS  —  Surgery to repair a torn ligament in Dustin Pedroia's right pinky was successful Wednesday, with Dr. Donald Sheridan placing a pin in the injured finger.  The pin will remain in Pedroia's finger for four weeks, with the second baseman having …

Tigers Go Ahead 1-0 on A's With Jackson RBI Single  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out five Oakland batters and Austin Jackson hit an RBI single as the Detroit Tigers took a 1-0 lead against the Athletics after three innings in Game 4 of their AL division series Wednesday night.