Tigers Acquire Joakim Soria  —  10:25pm: The Tigers have announced the deal, making it official.  —  9:23pm: The Tigers have agreed to acquire reliever Joakim Soria from the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel, Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout.com was first to report on Twitter.

Ryan Howard sits; future with team a major question  —  Slumping Ryan Howard was not in the Phillies' starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher for the second time in six post-all-star break games on Thursday night, and his future with the team is in serious question.

Epstein not thrilled with Cards ‘gift’ draft pick  —  The St. Louis Cardinals were unlikely winners Wednesday when they secured a bonus draft pick in Major League Baseball's competitive balance lottery.  —  Theo Epstein, for one, couldn't deny feeling a tad bitter about the Cardinals' good fortune.

Athletics Designate Jim Johnson For Assignment  —  12:04pm: The A's announced that they have actually designated Johnson for assignment, not released him (though that could obviously be the ultimate outcome of the move).  Evan Scribner has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to fill his roster spot.

David Ortiz reaches 1,500 RBIs  —  TORONTO — With his fourth home run in three games here Wednesday night, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz became the 53rd player in major-league history to drive in 1,500 or more runs in his career.  —  Ortiz lined a knuckleball from Toronto's R …

Arizona Diamondbacks must ask: Is bad pitching luck really about luck?  —  In his second start with his new team on Saturday, New York Yankees right-hander Brandon McCarthy fired six innings of one-run ball against the Cincinnati Reds.  As it pertains to the Diamondbacks …

Yoenis Cespedes has 2 HRs, 5 RBIs in win, exits for sprained thumb  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — What should have been a runaway win for the Oakland Athletics ended with questions and concerns.  —  Yoenis Cespedes homered twice and tied a career high with five RBIs before leaving with a sprained right thumb.

Angels Beat O's on Bases-Loaded Walk in 8th  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kole Calhoun drew a bases-loaded walk from reliever Brian Matusz in the eighth inning after a tying RBI double by Erick Aybar, and the Los Angeles Angels pulled out a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

Freeman's three-run HR helps Braves beat Marlins  —  ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer, Ervin Santana won his second straight start and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Wednesday night.  —  The victory pulled Atlanta within one game of first-place Washington in the NL East.

Game Recap: Mets 3 - Mariners 2  —  Result: The Mets defeated the Mariners, 3-2, taking the rubber match of the three-game series.  —  Need to Know: Bartolo Colon was perfect through 6 2/3 innings before Robinson Cano spoiled things with a single to left.  Colon allowed two runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings.