Dodgers' Kershaw Breezes Through Meek-Hitting Mets  —  NEW YORK — Clayton Kershaw pitched a three-hitter, retiring the first 18 batters in his second shutout of the season, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 3-0 on Thursday night.  —  Kershaw (8-6) now has thrown 29 consecutive …

Pirates Acquire Aramis Ramirez  —  The Pirates and Brewers have announced a trade that will send third baseman Aramis Ramirez to Pittsburgh in exchange for minor league right-hander Yhonathan Barrios and cash considerations.  The Pirates are reportedly taking on $3MM of the $5.74MM that remains on Ramirez's $14MM salary.

MLB Players' Association upset by Colin Cowherd's comments on Dominicans  —  Dominican major leaguers and the players union are demanding an apology or other action from outgoing ESPN host Colin Cowherd, who may have insulted a whole country with his on-air comments Thursday.

State patrol: Don't stop for ducks  —  Cars Swerve for Ducks Crossing I-35 KARE  —  MOUNDS VIEW, Minn. - The Minnesota State Patrol asks that motorists do not stop for ducks, or any animal, regardless of how the situation may end.  This after a video, showing a family of ducks narrowly escaping injury, went viral.

Altuve's Walkoff Homer Lifts Astros Over Boston 5-4  —  HOUSTON — Jose Altuve homered with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the last of his four hits, and the Houston Astros beat Boston 5-4 on Thursday night, extending the Red Sox's losing streak to a season-high eight games.

Source: Cubs chasing Cole Hamels, David Price not in play yet  —  With the Major League Baseball non waiver trade deadline just eight days away the rumor mill is cranking out potential trade scenarios almost non stop.  While the Cubs sit nine games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central …

Lackey Goes 7, Rosenthal Holds On as Cardinals Beat Royals  —  ST. LOUIS — John Lackey threw seven strong innings after a shaky beginning, Trevor Rosenthal escaped his own jam in the ninth and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Thursday night.

Scott Kazmir traded to Astros  —  8m - MLB SCOTT KAZMIR HOUSTON ASTROS OAKLAND ATHLETICS + more  —  Tim Kurkjian explains why the addition of Scott Kazmir to the Astros' rotation is important for them to make a charge to the playoffs.

Rays ready to talk trades, with Boxberger popular  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Most speculation leading to the July 31 deadline for nonwaiver trades will be on who the Rays could get to bolster their offense.  —  But they are more likely to trade away a player from their current big-league roster …

Rookie Godley Pitches Diamondbacks to 8-3 Win Over Brewers  —  PHOENIX — Zack Godley struck out seven in six shutout innings in his major league debut, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.  —  Godley, a 25-year-old right-hander called …

Hamilton not concerned about reception from Angels fans  —  Rangers fans cheered wildly in April 2013 when Josh Hamilton made outs during his first trip to Arlington as an Angels player.  He returns to Anaheim for the first time Friday.  Ron Jenkins Star-Telegram  —  jwilson@star-telegram.com

Samardzija, Cabrera Lead White Sox Past Indians 8-1  —  CLEVELAND — Jeff Samardzija, perhaps pitching for the final time in a Chicago uniform, allowed one run in eight innings and Melky Cabrera homered from both sides of the plate, leading the White Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.