Tigers To Keep Brad Ausmus As Manager  —  Brad Ausmus will remain as manager of the Tigers, the team has announced.  New GM Al Avila says Ausmus' recent work with young players was a key reason the Tigers decided to keep him, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (on Twitter).

Nationals Officially Eliminated From Playoff Contention  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Matt Williams sounded very much like someone living in denial, unwilling to directly address questions about his highly touted club's elimination from playoff contention.

Liriano Dominates, Pirates Beat Cubs 4-0 for 8th Win in Row  —  CHICAGO — Francisco Liriano pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning Saturday, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the playoff-bound Chicago Cubs 4-0 for their eighth straight victory.  —  Liriano (12-7) struck out nine and walked three over 7 2-3 innings.

Bautista Homers Twice, Jays Beat Rays 10-8  —  TORONTO — Jose Bautista hit two home runs, David Price won for the ninth time in 11 starts with Toronto and the playoff-bound Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-8 on Saturday.  —  An anticipated pitcher's duel between Rays right-hander Chris Archer …

Mets clinch NL East title with win over Reds  —  The Mets clinched their sixth National League East title, eighth playoff berth in team history and first postseason berth in nine years Saturday with a 10-2 victory over the Reds in Cincinnati.  —  Lucas Duda hit a grand slam …

LIFESTYLES  —  AT 85, SHE'S A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE ROCKIES' TEAM AT COORS FIELD  —  Leona Bender, 85, works an elevator behind home plate at Coors Field.  (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)  —  There's an “A Team” at Coors Field for every Rockies home game, and it's not the players listed …

Hudson, Zito Matchup Hardly Lives Up to Hype in Giants Win  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Rookie Jarrett Parker became the first Giants player to have at least three homers and seven RBIs in a game since Willie Mays did it 54 years ago, overshadowing the disappointing starts in the feel-good matchup …

LA Angels Beat Seattle 8-4, Move to Edge of Playoff Position  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron hit two-run homers, and the Los Angeles Angels surged within a half-game of playoff position with an 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Hill Pitches 2-Hit Shutout and Fans 10, Red Sox Beat Orioles  —  BOSTON — Rich Hill kept up his startling comeback, pitching a two-hitter and striking out 10 as the Boston Red Sox beat the Orioles 7-0 Friday night.  —  The 35-year-old Hill (2-0) was released by Washington in June …

Astros Hit 6 Homers in 9-7 Win Over Rangers to Close Gap  —  HOUSTON — Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve hit two homers apiece as the Houston Astros connected a season-high six times in a 9-7 win over the Rangers on Saturday, cutting Texas' lead in the AL West to 3 1/2 games.