Fowler, Carpenter get going in Cardinals' 7-5 win over Twins  —  St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Miles Mikolas takes a moment following a mound visit after Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler drove in a run in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Minneapolis.  (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Red Sox avoid sweep with 6-4 win over A's  —  Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, right, is congratulated by J.D. Martinez as he crosses home plate after his three-run home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Gabe Kapler explains unorthodox ninth-inning bullpen decision  —  BALTIMORE — Edubray Ramos had struck out Baltimore Orioles boppers Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo — on six pitches, no less — in a classic save situation Wednesday when Phillies manager Gabe Kapler signaled to the bullpen for embattled closer Hector Neris.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers … CONNECT  —  You'd think after becoming the first Diamondbacks pitcher in franchise history to face three different Cy Young Award winners in a row that nothing could faze right-hander Matt Koch.  Especially after the way things worked out for him.

Giants' Brandon Belt says plate umpire cheated him to ‘get the game over with’  —  A series-ending loss to the National League-worst Reds wasn't the only thing that left Giants slugger Brandon Belt raw on Wednesday.  —  It was how that 6-3 defeat ended that rubbed the left fielder the wrong way.

Baseball notebook: Mets place Cespedes on the disabled list  —  Yoenis Cespedes spent about a week trying to play through his latest lower body injury.  Now, he and the New York Mets are opting to play it safe.  —  The team placed Cespedes, an outfielder, on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday …

Rays journal: Ex-Hernando High standout Christian Arroyo gets called up  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Rays' decision to be cautious with RF Carlos Gomez's groin tightness got Hernando High product Christian Arroyo a late-night phone call, an early morning flight from Durham, N.C. …

With mom by his side, Franmil Reyes looking to stick with Padres  —  SAN DIEGO  —  A mother emerged from the tunnel leading out to the field at Petco Park and searched for her boy.  At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Franmil Reyes is one of the most imposing figures to ever pull a Padres jersey …

Colon shakes off liner to stomach, Rangers beat Mariners 5-1  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Bartolo Colon laughed off having Jean Segura's line drive hit him in the stomach, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings and giving the Texas Rangers a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

Derek Jeter staying positive despite frustrations with Marlins' record, attendance  —  MIAMI — Derek Jeter was chatting with a cluster of fans during Miami Marlins batting practice Wednesday when a preschooler wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap asked him to sign a baseball.

Real or not?  J.D. Martinez giving Red Sox power bat they needed  —  J.D. Martinez waited and waited and waited.  The Boston Red Sox waited and waited and waited.  Finally, in what always felt like a preordained outcome, the two sides agreed to a contract in late February.

Detroit Tigers prospect mailbag: Is Derek Hill considered a bust?  —  Welcome to the weekly Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions.  Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by email at gsipple@freepress.com. … Don't write him off yet, Philip.

Detroit Tigers shut out from first place with 6-0 loss to Indians  —  The Detroit Tigers whiffed on their chance to climb into a first-place tie with Cleveland in the American League Central Division.  —  After winning the opening two games of the series, the Tigers were blanked, 6-0 …