Tommy La Stella To Report To Minors  —  Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella has agreed to report for his optional assignment, as manager Joe Maddon announced in an appearance on 670 The Score (as Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune was among those to report).  Manager Joe Maddon says that he'll play tonight …

Happ Wins 11th Straight, Improves to 17-3 as Jays Top Yanks  —  NEW YORK — J.A. Happ won his 11th consecutive decision to become the first 17-game winner in the majors, and Melvin Upton Jr. hit a three-run homer that propelled the Toronto Blue Jays past the New York Yankees 7-4 on Wednesday.

Baltimore Closer Zach Britton Isn't Just a Surprise Cy Young Contender—He's the AL MVP  —  Last week, my colleague Michael Baumann had the audacity to suggest that Orioles closer Zach Britton could be a defensible selection as the American League's Cy Young Award winner.

Betts Has 2 HRs, 5 RBIs as Red Sox Beat Orioles 5-3  —  BALTIMORE — Mookie Betts homered twice and drove in five runs, helping the resurgent Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.  —  Betts hit a three-run drive in the fifth inning …

Braves To Promote Dansby Swanson  —  The Braves will promote top shortstop prospect Dansby Swanson tomorrow, according to a team announcement.  President of baseball operations John Hart says that the youngster will be in the starting lineup tomorrow, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets.

Holliday needs surgery, could miss rest of regular season  —  HOUSTON (AP) St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday will have surgery Wednesday on his right thumb, an injury that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season.  —  Holliday was hit by a 94 mph fastball from the Chicago Cubs' Mike Montgomery last Thursday.

Pennington's Triple Lifts Angels Over Mariners to End Skid  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 17, 2016, 1:30 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Cliff Pennington hit a go-ahead triple in the eighth inning, Albert Pujols slugged his 22nd home run and the Los Angeles Angels came back twice to beat …

BAR: Even in pen, Raisel Iglesias a bargain  —  42 Shares  —  The Blog Above Replacement is a daily look at the Reds, their minor leagues and whatever else is on the mind of Enquirer Reds beat writers, C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan.  —  Cincinnati Reds right-hander Raisel Iglesias …

Rangers' 3 Runs in 10th Beat A's 5-4 When Odor Hit by Pitch  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 17, 2016, 12:27 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Rougned Odor was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, forcing home the winning run as the AL-best Texas Rangers beat …

Mondesi Hits First HR in Royals' 6-1 Win Over Tigers  —  DETROIT — Raul Mondesi hit 271 home runs in 13 major league seasons.  —  Eleven years after his career ended, his son is on the board.  —  The younger Raul Mondesi broke open a scoreless tie with a home run off Justin Verlander …

Utley Hits 2 HRs, Gets Curtain Calls in Philadelphia Return  —  PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley got curtain calls after each of his two home runs — including a grand slam — in his first game in Philadelphia since a trade last season to the Los Angeles Dodgers.