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.

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.

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 …

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.

AVOIDING AN UNTENABLE LOGJAM IN LOS ANGELES  —  How motivated are the Dodgers to trade Matt Kemp?  How motivated should they be?  —  Depends whom you ask.  —  Some rival executives say the Dodgers want to move Kemp.  The team certainly is open to trade offers.