Wilmer Flores heats up with six RBI, two home runs as Mets crush Marlins 9-1  —  Flores had a run-scoring double in a four-run fourth that put the Mets up 4-1.  His fifth-inning three-run homer made it 7-1.  He added a two-run home run in the seventh.  —  One of the big questions …

MLB suspends Jays' Stroman six games; appeal launched  —  Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Marcus Stroman was suspended for six games on Wednesday by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at the head of Caleb Joseph in a game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday night.  Stroman will appeal the decision.

Pedro Martinez says Mets ‘have the best nucleus of young pitchers’ in baseball  —  The future Hall of Famer beieves the ‘Mets can really do something’ if ace Matt Harvey stays healthy enough to guide a promising young staff that also includes Rookie of the Year candidate Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler.

Winging it: Angels' creativity produces MLB's best lineup  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Their lineup features a three-time MVP and this season's likely recipient of the game's top award in the American League, yet their cleanup hitters are often middle infielders who are not close to cracking double digits in home runs.

Omaha Wins Triple-A Championship (VIDEO)  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C.—On a sopping wet Tuesday evening, the Omaha Storm Chasers lived up to both their name and their title.  —  They entered Triple-A Championship Game, held at the Charlotte Knights' BB&T Ballpark, as the defending kings of the classification.

Olney On Qualifying Offer Candidates  —  In his latest Insider-only blog, ESPN's Buster Olney runs down a list of pending free agents that are candidates to receive qualifying offers.  Olney spoke with several executives from around the league and is of the mind that James Shields, Max Scherzer …

MLB suspends umpire who grabbed Papelbon  —  Veteran umpire Joe West has been suspended one game without pay for grabbing Jonathan Papelbon's jersey during an altercation Sunday with the Philadelphia Phillies closer.  —  Major League Baseball executive vice president Joe Torre announced …

PERFORMANCE IN SPITE OF INJURIES PROVES PLAYOFF PERSEVERANCE  —  Monday night, the Anaheim Angels of Southern California became the first team in the majors to clinch a spot in the postseason tournament.  This will be mentioned again, a bit later.  * First, though, I have to apologize for making fun of the Angels' chosen nomenclature.

Redmond: Stanton unlikely to return this season  —  After tests Tuesday, manager indicates slugger will not be medically cleared  —  Bill Ripken and Ryan Dempster talk about Giancarlo Stanton attempting to play again this season after being hit in the face with a pitch

Girardi livid at Rays: Yanks ‘not pincushions’  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a loss that saw three New York Yankees ejected and the benches clear, a “pissed” Joe Girardi accused the Tampa Bay Rays of pitching inside incompetently.  —  What made Girardi ultimately erupt was when Derek Jeter …

Amarista's Homer Lifts Padres Over Phillies 5-4  —  SAN DIEGO — Alexi Amarista had three hits, including a go-ahead two-run homer, to lead the San Diego Padres to a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.  —  Amarista's two-out homer in the sixth inning off A.J. Burnett (8-17) put the Padres ahead 4-3.