Giants hold on in 9th to beat Padres 4-2  —  Will Smith had to work around a pair of two-out hits and a seven-pitch walk in the ninth inning to keep his perfect season intact with another save.  —  Make it 16 for 16 for the Giants closer, who got Manuel Margot to pop up with the bases loaded …

Marlins pitcher Yamamoto, obtained in Yelich trade, dazzles in first career MLB start  —  If Jordan Yamamoto had any nerves heading into his first career MLB start, he didn't show it.  —  The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, one of four prospects the Miami Marlins obtained in the Christian Yelich trade …

Cubs, Rockies get testy; 4 batters hit by pitches  —  DENVER — Despite the bumps and bruises after four players — two on each side — got hit by pitches in the Chicago Cubs' 10-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, both teams played it cool afterward.

How an uncharacteristically off day for Chavez spelled doom for Rangers, his mustache  —  Pete Fairbanks, the Texas Rangers rookie reliever, is from St. Louis and was showing his civic pride Wednesday afternoon in place where that might not have been the best idea.

Jon Duplantier injury further strains Diamondbacks' rotation depth  —  PHILADELPHIA - The Diamondbacks placed rookie right-hander Jon Duplantier on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, a move that is both a blow to their already thinned out starting rotation …

Los Angeles Angels?  Disingenuous team name is as laughable as ever  —  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  —  The most confusing and contradictory name in professional sports has been dead for six years now.  —  Before the 2005 season, the Anaheim Angels changed their name …

‘More versatility the better’: Mariners' Shed Long to try left field with no open spot at second base  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Shed Long will eventually be the Mariners' everyday second baseman.  That's why they acquired him this offseason as part of a plan to rebuild their lineup of the future.

Detroit Tigers take fond memories of College World Series to Omaha  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — By mid-afternoon Wednesday, Matthew Boyd had already hit the road for a return trip to the place that put him on the map.  —  Six years ago this week, the Detroit Tigers' left-hander pitched the game …

Merrill Kelly dominates as Diamondbacks take series over Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA - Merrill Kelly tossed three-hit ball over 7 2/3 innings, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 on Wednesday night.  —  Kelly (7-6) struck out five before departing when Bryce Harper entered the game as a pinch-hitter.

The history of juiced balls and how today's home run binge fits in  —  We've all seen the ridiculous moon-orbiting blasts and never-ending barrage of home runs.  On Sunday, the Nationals tied a record with four consecutive home runs.  On Monday, the Diamondbacks and Phillies set a record by combining for 13 home runs.

Why Triple-A could be ‘zenith’ for Mets' Tim Tebow  —  Tebow Time in Syracuse has been underwhelming, casting doubt upon whether a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will take the final step and complete a journey to the Mets.  —  Tim Tebow entered Wednesday with a .158/.244/.222 slash line …

Top games in Cincinnati Reds history: No. 38 - A pitcher's duel for the ages in 1917  —  By 1917, the Cincinnati Reds were slowly forming into the team that would win the 1919 World Series.  Mainstays such as center fielder Edd Roush, shortstop Larry Kopf and third baseman Heinie Groh …

Gordon helps Mariners beat sloppy Twins in 10 innings  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Dee Gordon scored on one of Minnesota's three errors in the 10th inning, helping the Seattle Mariners beat the Twins 9-6 on Wednesday night.  —  Gordon opened the 10th with a ground-rule double.

Report: Tigers Willing To Listen To Offers For Matthew Boyd, Others  —  With the July 31 trade deadline on the way and the Tigers well out of contention, they're “open to moving virtually” all of their veteran players, Jon Morosi of MLB.com writes.  Morosi names left-hander Matthew Boyd …