Philadelphia Phillies earn rare series victory over New York Mets  —  NEW YORK — It took the Philadelphia Phillies more than a year to win a series against the New York Mets.  It took just one night for the Phillies to rediscover the middle of their lineup and find a second closer.

Jon Lester, Cubs trail Reds 4-2 in 5th inning  —  Photos from the Cubs-Reds game on Friday, April 21, 2017, in Cincinnati.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Reds 4, Cubs 2 (sixth inning)  —  Jason Heyward hit his first home run of the season, but pitcher Tim Adleman responded with a two-run double off Jon Lester …

Brewers Designate Kirk Nieuwenhuis  —  The Brewers have designated outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis for assignment, per a club announcement.  Lefty Brent Suter will come up to take his roster spot and bolster the club's pen.  —  [RELATED: Updated Brewers Depth Chart]  —  Nieuwenhuis, 29, was off to a sluggish start in 2016.

Daniel Murphy's Keen Eye Bolsters a Nationals Pillar  —  The Mets glimpsed this Daniel Murphy for nine glorious playoff games that helped them win a pennant.  The Washington Nationals have gotten the sustained version, a feared cleanup hitter who arrived at Citi Field on Friday to start …

RHP A.J. Griffin to miss at least 1 start due to gout in his left ankle  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin will miss at least one start because of gout in his left ankle.  —  Griffin was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday with inflammation related to gout …

Carmelo Anthony-to-Celtics scenario picking up steam … With the Celtics fading in the first round, the chances of Carmelo Anthony wearing green are increasing.  —  According to an NBA source, the Celtics coaching staff was in favor of trading for Anthony at the trade deadline …

Would a ‘good hands’ lineup help Cardinals find true glove?  —  Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com  —  ST. LOUIS  • By at least one count, Cardinals reliever Kevin Siegrist had to get seven outs in the eighth inning Wednesday to hold a one-run lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Rajon Rondo Injury Update  —  Rajon Rondo injured his right hand in Game 2 at Boston on Tuesday night.  Rondo underwent a subsequent exam and x-rays that confirmed a thumb fracture.  Surgery is not required for this injury, and he is out indefinitely.

White Sox Select Mike Pelfrey, Place James Shields On 10-Day DL  —  The White Sox have swapped out veteran hurlers with a roster move today, placing James Shields on the DL and selecting the contract of Mike Pelfrey, as JJ Stankevitz (Twitter links) and Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago (Twitter link) report.

Peralta goes to DL; Carpenter at 3B ‘an option’  —  St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jhonny Peralta misplays a ground ball off the bat of Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez for an error in the sixth inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, April 9, 2017, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Rangers Release Josh Hamilton, Who Will Undergo Knee Surgery  —  The Rangers announced today that they have released outfielder Josh Hamilton from the minor-league deal that the sides struck during the offseason.  Per the club, Hamilton suffered another knee injury during his rehabilitation efforts and will again require surgery.

Madison Bumgarner lands on DL after dirt bike accident  —  DENVER (AP) — Giants ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner has been put on the disabled list for the first time in his big league career after a dirt bike accident that sent him to a hospital with bruised ribs and a sprained joint in his pitching shoulder.

Detroit Tigers' Jose Iglesias could be placed on 7-day concussion DL  —  The Detroit Tigers were swept in St. Petersburg by the Tampa Bay Rays.  Anthony Fenech breaks it all down.  Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press  —  CONNECT  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Some 12 hours after taking a knee …