Alvarez Backs Locke as Pirates Beat Brewers 5-2  —  MILWAUKEE — Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs, Andrew McCutchen also went deep, and Jeff Locke pitched six shutout innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.  —  Neil Walker added a solo home run …

Alex Sanabia : I didn't know spitter was against rules  —  Alex Sanabia was caught on camera spitting on the ball earlier this week against Philadelphia.  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Miami Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia says he didn't know it was illegal to spit on the ball, the way he did Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Joey Votto's bid for history  —  There's this guy on the Reds named Joey Votto.  Maybe you've heard of him.  He's pretty good.  —  That's a rather blatant understatement.  He's led the league in OBP three times in a row.  He's led the league in walks each of the last two years while hitting over .300.

Michael Young delivers go-ahead run as Phillies top Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — Michael Young scored the go-ahead run from first base on a single in the eighth inning, and Domonic Brown homered and hit an RBI double as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 5-3 Saturday night.

Weaver moving forward after BP session  —  KANSAS CITY — Right-hander Jered Weaver had another positive day on Friday as he puts the finishing touches on his rehabilitation work before rejoining the Angels' rotation.  —  Weaver threw a light bullpen session at Kauffman Stadium …

Amazin'ly, Wright has no re-up regret  —  There already could be buyer's remorse.  Yet even with the disaster the Mets' 2013 season had become, David Wright insisted yesterday he has no regrets about giving the organization a long-term commitment.  —  “Zero,” Wright said.

Dodgers' bosses get points for patience  —  The experts said Don Mattingly would be fired, but Mark Walter and Stan Kasten show restraint.  Don't forget, it's still early and the Dodgers aren't out of it.  —  Dodgers manager Don Mattingly watches from the dugout during the first inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Minor Leads Braves Over Mets for 8th Win in Row  —  NEW YORK — Light-hitting pitcher Mike Minor homered for his first two RBIs in the majors and struck out 10 as the Atlanta Braves posted their second win in a matter of hours, beating the New York Mets 6-0 Saturday for their eighth straight victory.

Rockies shut out Giants as Michael Cuddyer returns with a bang  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Players don't go on rehab assignments as much as they are exiled.  It's not exactly Tom Hanks curling up with a volleyball in “Castaway,” but it can be a lonely existence.  —  Extended spring is the Sibera …

Votto, Hanigan HRs Lead Reds Over Cubs 7-4  —  CINCINNATI — Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a homer, and Ryan Hanigan and Brandon Phillips also homered on Friday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to their fourth straight win, 7-4 over the Chicago Cubs.