Cubs concede hiccup as Willson Contreras heads to DL  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Cubs' clubhouse, which can be giddy even after losses, was eerily quiet Wednesday, players talking in hushed tones, as if they needed to comfort one another.  —  The Cubs kept reminding themselves …

Yanks, Red Sox to wear names on home jerseys in promotion  —  NEW YORK (AP) — When the Yankees and Red Sox play later this month they will have names on the back of their jersey.  All Rise, Sir Didi, Kraken and Toddfather should suit up for New York.  Benny, 2-Bags, Brock Star and Laser Show could be in Boston's lineup.

Perez leads Rangers over Mets 5-1 for 2-game split  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Perez allowed three hits over eight innings, Joey Gallo hit his 32nd home run and the Texas Rangers beat the New York Mets 5-1 on Wednesday for a two-game split.  —  Texas took a 3-0 lead in the first against Rafael Montero …

Royals put Alex Gordon on bench amid season-long slump  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Alex Gordon rarely hangs around the Royals clubhouse before games, preferring to spend his time in the weight room, trainer's room or the batting cages deep within Kauffman Stadium.

Puello's 1st hit, Cron homer leads Angels past Orioles, 5-1 (Aug 09, 2017)  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) After 10 seasons in the minors and playing in his first major league game, Cesar Puello singled in the go-ahead run and C.J. Cron added a two-run homer to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-1 victory …

CC Sabathia's MRI comes back clean, unknown if Yankee will go on DL  —  TORONTO — CC Sabathia was down after injuring his right knee on Tuesday night, but an MRI taken on Wednesday surprisingly came back clean.  “There's no new damage,” Joe Girardi said.  —  It's unknown if Sabathia will still require a DL stint anyway.

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg feels good after tossing simulated game  —  WASHINGTON — It was a busy day for the first-place Washington Nationals even before they hosted the Miami Marlins on Wednesday at Nationals Park.  —  Right-hander Stephen Strasburg …

Wednesday's game  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (13-4, 3.10) vs. Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (13-1, 2.33).  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1)  —  You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pitching match-up all season.  —  Greinke was hit hard his last outing …

Blackmon's 12th-inning homer leads Rockies over Indians 3-2 … Charlie Blackmon homered in the 12th inning, atoning for a baserunning blunder and lifting the  —  Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Wednesday.  —  With Colorado trailing 2-1, Blackmon singled leading off the eighth and was running …

Cruz homers twice to power Mariners past A's 6-3  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Nelson Cruz homered twice, Kyle Seager also went deep and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Wednesday to complete a two-game sweep.  —  Robinson Cano had two hits and scored twice while Ben Gamel singled …

Reds Claim Luke Farrell, Designate Scott Van Slyke  —  The Reds announced on Wednesday that they've claimed right-hander Luke Farrell off waivers from the Dodgers and designated former Dodger Scott Van Slyke for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Avisail Garcia's status as part of White Sox rebuild remains fuzzy  —  White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia and manager Rick Renteria on Garcia's recovery from a sprained thumb on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Long before they faced …

Twins recall Vargas for 4th time, with Mejia sent to DL  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have recalled first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot created after starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia landed on the 10-day disabled list.