Jose Abreu steps in after White Sox rookie Reynaldo Lopez tries to pitch through soreness  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria on removing Reynaldo Lopez from Thursday's game against the Rangers with right side soreness on Aug. 17, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Ervin, Votto lead Reds past Cubs despite Chicago's 6 homers  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Phillip Ervin hit a two-run homer to snap a tie in the seventh inning and had four RBIs in his first major league start as the Cincinnati Reds rebounded from blowing a nine-run lead to defeat the Chicago Cubs 13-10 on Thursday.

John Henry says Red Sox will lead effort to change name of Yawkey Way  —  The Red Sox have had enough.  —  At a moment when racial tensions have escalated rapidly and the removal of Confederate statues acts as a flashpoint for violent and racially divisive protests, the Red Sox are ready …

Zimmerman's homer lifts Nationals to 2-1 win vs Padres  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — With 33-year-old Edwin Jackson mostly frustrating the San Diego Padres for seven innings, Ryan Zimmerman and the rest of the Washington Nationals figured out a way to win on just four hits.

Toronto Blue Jays escape Tampa Bay Rays  —  TORONTO — Justin Smoak hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning, Josh Donaldson hit two solo homers and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Thursday.  —  Smoak hit his 33rd homer of the season with one out against Tommy Hunter (2-4) after Donaldson walked.

Minnesota Twins pick up split with Cleveland Indians behind Max Kepler homer  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning after his slip led to an Indians run in the top of the inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 4-2 to split a day-night doubleheader Thursday at Target Field.

Tonight's lineup: Odubel Herrera sits again; struggling Tommy Joseph slides  —  The Phillies will be without their best hitter for a third straight game.  —  Because of a nagging left hamstring, Odubel Herrera is not in the lineup Thursday night when the Phillies kick off a four-game series against the Giants at AT&T Park.

Kershaw, Price, Strasburg: As MLB playoffs near, pitchers on mend may tip balance of power  —  With fewer than 50 games to go we're approaching the summer's 11th hour, which is why transactions matter, especially to the clubs making plans for October.  There are several key pitchers on the verge …

Cardinals lose closer to injury and it could impact the NL Central playoff race  —  Trevor Rosenthal hits the disabled list with posterior elbow irritation  —  We already discussed the wild Wednesday that transpired when it came to the tight NL Central and there's more to unpack there.

Arizona Diamondbacks ride Patrick Corbin for split with Houston Astros  —  HOUSTON — Patrick Corbin came within an out of his first complete game in nearly four years, scattering four hits in 8 2/3 innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a split of their four-game, home-and-home interleague series …

Pirates knock Wainwright from game after third inning  —  PITTSBURGH  • The hex Adam Wainwright was able to hold over the Pirates for an inning ended in the third inning.  —  With two outs, Wainwright was unable to retire a batter to finish the inning before the Pirates had opened …

Rick Renteria on receiving Cubs World Series ring: ‘A classy gesture’  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria called receiving a Cubs World Series ring “a classy gesture” by the team on Wednesday, AUg. 16, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune