Diaz, With Heavy Heart, Powers Cards Past Reds 12-5  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 28, 2016, 12:12 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ST. LOUIS — Playing with a heavy heart, Aledmys Diaz hit his first career grand slam and the St. Louis Cardinals finished with five home runs Tuesday night in a 12-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

White Sox will retain Robin Ventura, if he wants to return  —  The Chicago White Sox have decided to retain manager Robin Ventura and will sign him to new contract providing Ventura wants to return, a high-ranking White Sox official told USA TODAY Sports.  —  The official spoke on the condition …

Scherzer Finds His Form, Rendon Homers as Nats Beat D-Backs  —  WASHINGTON — Max Scherzer struck out 10 and allowed two runs in six innings and Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead three-run homer as the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Tuesday night to inch closer to home-field advantage in the NL Division Series.

Posey, Pence Go Back-To-Back as Giants Beat Rockies 12-3  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 28, 2016, 1:45 A.M. E.D.T.  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey homered for his 1,000th hit, Hunter Pence went deep one batter later and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 12-3 on Tuesday night.

Marlins outfielder turned down invitation for ride on Jose Fernandez's boat  —  Marcell Ozuna remained stoic during the Marlins' first public appearance following the death of Jose Fernandez on Sunday.  —  Following Monday's game, Ozuna said he turned down an invitation from Fernandez …

Corey Kluber has mild quadriceps strain  —  Cleveland ace Corey Kluber, who won the 2014 AL Cy Young Award and is a top contender for the honor this year, had an MRI on Tuesday in Cleveland that confirmed he has a mild quadriceps strain.  —  The Indians say his timetable for returning …

Yankees Beat Red Sox 6-4, Ending Boston's Win Streak at 11  —  NEW YORK — Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Tyler Austin homered off David Price, and the New York Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-4 Tuesday night to end Boston's 11-game winning streak and delay its AL East title celebration.

Joe Maddon matching higher expectations in second year with Cubs  —  CHICAGO — Joe Maddon has a new thing.  Or an old thing that he's making new, anyway.  Flamingos.  Pink flamingos.  Five plastic ones of various detail sit on his desk and around his office in the stunning new home clubhouse under otherwise ancient Wrigley Field.

Freeman Homers, Extends Streak; Braves Beat Phillies 7-6  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 28, 2016, 1:09 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit his career-high 33rd homer and stretched his career-best hitting streak to 29 games, helping the Atlanta Braves begin their final homestand …

Marte, Nolasco Lead Angels Over A's 8-1  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 28, 2016, 1:07 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Rookie Jefry Marte hit his first career grand slam in a seven-run fourth inning Tuesday night and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 8-1.

Marlins, Prado agree to contract extension  —  Marlins and third baseman Martin Prado have agreed in principle to a 3-year, $40 million contract extension.  —  cspencer@miamiherald.com  —  The Marlins and third baseman Martin Prado have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, multiple sources said.