Cubs return home to face Reds  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have a razor-thin margin for error as they attempt to hold onto first place in the National League Central down the stretch.  —  So if there was a time when a team that has already experienced its share of injuries this season …

Don Mattingly reunites with former Make-A-Wish recipient after 30 years  —  Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly reunited 30 years later with a former Make-A-Wish recipient who overcame his cancer diagnosis and named his daughter after the longtime New York Yankees first baseman.

Jay triples in 8th, D-backs top Astros 4-2, races tighten  —  Houston's Charlie Morton (14-3, 3.15 ERA) opposes Arizona's Zack Godley (14-9, 4.67) when the series continues Saturday night.  Morton has won two straight and tied his career high for wins.  —  HOUSTON — Pinch-hitter Jon Jay's …

Boston's Porcello looks to right himself vs. Mets  —  BOSTON — Rick Porcello will be counted on to be one of the Boston Red Sox starters in the coming postseason.  —  But the veteran right-hander, who won the Cy Young Award two years ago, will use the rest of September to straighten himself …

Acuna goes 4 for 5, Braves win 6th straight  —  ATLANTA — Ronald Acuna Jr. struck out twice and reached base once in his first six at-bats against Nationals ace Max Scherzer.  —  “I think it helps having some previous at-bats against him,” Acuna said through a translator.  “I just went in with the same approach.

Kansas City Royals beat Minnesota Twins 8-4 to lower Cleveland Indians' magic number to 1  —  Salvador Perez's walk-off grand slam provided the difference.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Salvador Perez capped Kansas City's five-run ninth inning with a game-ending grand slam …

Clay Buchholz's resurgent season with D-backs ends early  —  Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Clay Buchholz won't pitch again this season, manager Torey Lovullo said Friday night.  —  Buchholz was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday because of tightness in his right elbow …

White Sox look to take season series from Orioles  —  BALTIMORE — On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox will have the chance to accomplish something they haven't done in 10 years — win a season series against the Baltimore Orioles  —  A victory for the White Sox would give Chicago a 4-2 lead …

A's riding D-list starting rotation right into October  —  If Edwin Jackson doesn't start the American League wild-card game for the Oakland Athletics, manager Bob Melvin might have another task in mind for him.  —  Shortly after Jackson exercised an opt-out clause with the Washington Nationals …

WATCH: Josh Donaldson hits first home run as member of Cleveland Indians  —  Third baseman Josh Donaldson hit his first home run as a member of the Cleveland Indians in the sixth inning of Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field.  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians …

A first for Texas Rangers pitching that gave significance to Friday's win over the Padres  —  SAN DIEGO — Maybe someday, if the Rangers do indeed change the way they approach pitching, Friday night will go down as an asterisk to history.  —  It was the first time the team used an “opener” and won a game.

Learning the outfield could help Cincinnati Reds top prospect Nick Senzel reach the Majors  —  Scott Schebler talks about Luis Castillo's start and the Reds' 3-1 victory over the Dodgers.  The Reds have a 6-0 record vs. the Dodgers this year.  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  CONNECT

Khris Davis homers as A's edge Rays in 10 to win another one-run game  —  Tampa Bay Rays' C.J. Cron breaks his bat as he lines out during the 10th inning of Friday's loss to the A's.  —  Khris Davis helped Oakland win another close one.  —  Davis led off the 10th inning …

Brewers veteran Curtis Granderson thriving in the shadows of another pennant race  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Brewers have made several significant moves this season to compete with the Cubs in the National League Central, including the signings of Lorenzo Cain and Jhoulys Chacin …