Justin Verlander coughs up early lead, Detroit Tigers' chances for big split in Houston  —  HOUSTON - This was Justin Verlander's game.  —  His team was trying for a split against one of the best teams in baseball.  They were on the road, nearing the midway point of a mighty tough road trip and early on …

Rangers Reaction from Thursday's strikeout-heavy loss  —  BOSTON  —  Baseball was played Thursday night at Fenway Park, and that rates as a miracle.  —  Rain fell from about 9 a.m. until, well, it's still falling in some form.  There was a mist/drizzle in the air when it wasn't technically raining.

Boston's Price set to make season debut Monday at White Sox  —  BOSTON (AP) Red Sox pitcher David Price is set to make his season debut for Boston on Monday at the Chicago White Sox.  —  The 31-year-old left-hander, starting the second season of a $217 million, seven-year contact, has been recovering from a strained pitching elbow.

Wacha, Cardinals fall apart against Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES  • The runs came fast and welcome in the first inning, but the Cardinals couldn't outrun who they've been for another eight innings Thursday.  —  The flaws they've had, big and small, cascaded on the Cardinals in a 7-3 loss …

Mets as dreary as weather, fall to lowly Padres 4-3  —  On a miserable May night in Queens, with a steady drizzle dropping and winds swirling, the Mets lost again to one of the worst teams in baseball.  —  After Jacob deGrom's start was pushed from Thursday to Friday due to concerns over the weather …

After watching Votto, more Reds hitters are choking up … CONNECT  —  CLEVELAND - Joey Votto has always choked up on the bat, at least as long as he's been a professional.  —  When he was 18 and in the Gulf Coast League, fresh off of being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round …

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker to miss San Diego Padres series for son's graduation  —  WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker is slated to miss the three-game weekend series with the San Diego Padres due to the high school graduation of his son, Darren, in California.

Rangers returning to Toronto at inopportune time  —  TORONTO  —  The Rangers conclude their nine-game road trip with three against the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend at Rogers Centre.  It's the first time they've met since the Blue Jays swept the Rangers in the ALDS last October …

Addison Russell patiently working, waiting to get his stroke back  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Addison Russell had a scheduled day off as the Cubs wrapped up their nine-game homestand against the Giants on a sunny Thursday at Wrigley Field.  —  But even if it already hadn't been determined …

Yankees front office paints optimistic financial outlook despite decline in ticket sales  —  A New York Times report that paints a somewhat bleak financial outlook for the Yankees is not causing panic on 161st Street for members of the organization's front office, even though Stadium attendance …

Cardinals notes: Fowler is going through a slump  —  • Right about the time the Cardinals believe they saw Dexter Fowler find the trigger at the plate that could ignite their offense, he may have lost it trying to make a play on defense.  —  Fowler entered Thursday's late game …

Series preview: Cardinals at Rockies  —  • The Cardinals continue their road trip out west this weekend with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.  Cardinals starting pitching continues to dominate, as the rotation ranks second in the major leagues entering Thursday with a 3.44 ERA.

Pina and Braun leave game  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Milwaukee Brewers catcher Manny Pina and left fielder Ryan Braun left the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night with injuries.  —  Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray drilled Pina in the left elbow with a pitch in the second inning, knocking the Brewers catcher flat.