Longoria homers twice, Moore ends skid, Rays beat Yankees  —  NEW YORK — Evan Longoria homered twice and drove in three runs, Matt Moore ended a personal three-game skid and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 8-3 Thursday night.  —  Yunel Escobar also homered as Tampa Bay sent …

Final Score: Mets 4 Braves 3  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  David Wright his two solo home runs, Andrew Brown hit another, and Josh Satin had a pinch-hit RBI double, as the Mets completed taking three of five games from the Braves to win their first series in Atlanta since 2011.

Jeff Francis accepts minor-league assignment for Rockies, heads to Colorado Springs  —  Jeff Francis pitches in spring training a few years back.  He accepted a minor-league assignment to remain with the Rockies organization.  (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

(USATSI)  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez's recent progress is said by people around the Yankees to have been dramatic, with one person calling it “fantastic” and another even speculating A-Rod could possibly begin to play rehab games just after the All-Star break.

Crowe to disabled list after collision with wall  —  HOUSTON — The Astros placed right-fielder Trevor Crowe on the 15-day disabled list after he sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder during the sixth inning of Thursday's 7-4 win over the Brewers.  —  Crowe smashed the shoulder …

Ian Kinsler helps Rangers repel A's, close AL West gap  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — When the ball caromed away from Texas Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry, he quickly recovered to get it and throw to shortstop Elvis Andrus.  The game was over after a perfect relay to the plate.

Jon Niese leaves game with ‘left shoulder discomfort’  —  Jon Niese left Thursday night's game in the fourth inning with what the team described as discomfort in his left shoulder.  —  10:40 pm: Terry Collins told reporters after the game that Niese will go for an MRI in New York on Friday.

Soria begins rehab assignment in Double-A  —  ARLINGTON — Joakim Soria will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Thursday.  Soria is scheduled to pitch an inning in the first of multiple appearances with the team.  —  Soria threw two live batting-practice sessions during …

Benoit Leyland's first option in closer situation  —  DETROIT — Before Jose Valverde rejoined the Tigers at the end of April, manager Jim Leyland had a bullpen by committee, but had Joaquin Benoit as his preferred option.  —  “On a lot of the days, if it's doable, I think [Joaquin] …

Living Up to Expectations  —  Oswaldo Arcia homered for the Twins this afternoon, scoring the first run of the game in the second inning as the White Sox trail 3-1 in the fourth.  The 22-year-old rookie is off to a nice start, with 33 hits, fifteen of them going for extra bases.

Mets manager Terry Collins, now armed with pitchers Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, should stay with Mets  —  Harvey and Wheeler on Tuesday provided a reminder that talent has been the issue, and if that is finally going to change now, Collins surely deserves the chance to make something of it.

Sox's Ventura in Manto's corner  —  White Sox manager Robin Ventura on the team's mood during its slump.  —  MINNESOTA — Manager Robin Ventura endorsed hitting coach Jeff Manto in the wake of the Chicago White Sox's offensive struggles.  —  “Even when it goes like this, you look at me …

San Jose suit appears to be strong  —  Major League Baseball should be taking the city's antitrust lawsuit very seriously  —  San Jose's lawsuit against Major League Baseball could easily become commissioner Bud Selig's worst nightmare.  —  Unless the Lords of Baseball voluntarily pave …

Yankees Impressed With First Look at LA's Puig  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees had a first-hand look at Cuban rookie sensation Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday and came away mightily impressed.  —  “He hits the ball hard, I can tell you that.