Detroit Tigers say they aren't panicking, but time is ticking  —  The Tigers have dropped 9 of their last 12 and are now six games below .500; is sell mode in sight?  —  CONNECT  —  SEATTLE - At this point of the season, with the Detroit Tigers no longer treading water - they appear to be sinking …

Manny Machado belts two homers as Baltimore Orioles defeat Cleveland Indians  —  BALTIMORE — Even though Manny Machado has struggled throughout the season, he is still the type of player that can carry the Baltimore Orioles.  —  The former All-Star came up big when his team needed him the most.

Texas Rangers get out to fast start in win over Toronto Blue Jays  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite appearances, Nick Martinez knows his role with the Texas Rangers.  —  It's called “be ready at a moment's notice no matter what you're called on to do.”  —  The Texas right-hander was more than ready in a spot start on Tuesday.

Mariners Move Yovani Gallardo To Bullpen  —  The Mariners selected the contract of top organizational prospect Andrew Moore earlier today, and they've informed reporters prior to tonight's game that Yovani Gallardo will move to the bullpen to accommodate Moore's arrival (Twitter link via the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish).

Carpenter and Fowler set the tone, Cardinals erupt for 7 in 11th  —  PHILADELPHIA  • As he sat at his locker this past weekend in Camden Yards, Stephen Piscotty, who has dabbled in a little economics and stock market talk before, described the trickle-down effect from having Matt Carpenter …

Royals can't solve Chris Sale, fall 8-3 to the Red Sox  —  On a Tuesday last December, inside a posh hotel in National Harbor, Md., the Royals and Boston Red Sox engineered a pair of trades that would shape their 2017 seasons.  —  In a suite on an upper floor, the Royals brain trust hammered …

Brewers Sign Keston Hiura  —  The Brewers announced on Wednesday that they've signed their first-round pick, UC Irvine second baseman/outfielder Keston Hiura.  According to MLB.com's Jim Callis (on Twitter), he'll receive a bonus of $4MM, which comes in a bit south of the $4.57MM slot value of the No. 9 overall selection.

Dining with Drew: Main course & baseball talk with Royals catcher Butera  —  Can't go to lunch with a ballplayer?  We'll bring one to you: Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera.  We sat down with him at Garozzo's Italian Ristorante and (in the second of three episodes) discussed the pleasures of home cooking and leftovers.

Braves consider playing Freddie Freeman at 3B when slugger returns from DL  —  Matt Adams' offensive resurgence has forced the Atlanta Braves to consider playing Freddie Freeman at third base when the star slugger returns from the disabled list.  —  Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters …

Cameron Perkins debuts with Phillies and savors the moment  —  Walking to the plate for his first major-league at-bat, Cam Perkins was awestruck by Yadier Molina's congratulatory remarks.  —  After the Phillies designated Michael Saunders for assignment on Tuesday, they promoted Perkins to replace him in the outfield rotation.

Reds promote Shed Long, Nick Senzel to Class AA Pensacola  —  Shed Long is a minor league player hoping to make his way to the big leagues.  C. Trent Rosecrans invites listeners along his journey with a new podcast.  Amanda Rossmann & Sam Greene  —  CONNECT  —  Shed Long is one step closer to his Great American Dream.

Arizona Diamondbacks sign first-round pick Pavin Smith … DENVER - The Diamondbacks signed first-round pick Pavin Smith on Wednesday, and the slugging first baseman out of Virginia is expected to report to the club's short-season Hillsboro affiliate.  —  Smith received a bonus of $5,016,300 …

Reds' Luis Castillo to make big-league debut Friday  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Reds manager Bryan Price said the announcement of Luis Castillo as the starter for Friday's game in Washington wasn't intended as a message to other starters, but it could be a lesson.

Cubs' Anthony Rizzo ends leadoff streak at seven games  —  Anthony Rizzo is the only player in the last 60 years to reach safely to start the first inning in his first seven career leadoff appearances.  —  His streak ended there Wednesday, when the Cubs first baseman flew out out to Padres right fielder Hunter Renfroe on a 3-0 pitch.

Adrian Gonzalez says he won't push return from herniated disk  —  Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez says he isn't setting a target date for his return from a herniated disk and is prepared to miss the next month rehabbing the injury.  —  Gonzalez, who was placed …

Padres cleanup hitter Yangervis Solarte strains oblique in batting cage  —  San Diego Padres second baseman Yangervis Solarte is headed to the disabled list with a strained left oblique, manager Andy Green said.  —  Solarte was removed from the Padres' 4- loss to the Cubs in Chicago …