A walk-off loss, yes, but Lynn kept alive the formula that will keep the Rangers rolling  —  Check back in a couple weeks to see how the rotation spot Drew Smyly lost Wednesday is doing, but it's safe to assume the grass will be greener than the 8.40 ERA Smyly is lugging around the American League.

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 …

Marlins slam Cardinals as bats go quiet  —  MIAMI — Miles Mikolas, who grew up 90 minutes to the north in Jupiter, Fla., had beaten the Miami Marlins twice in his first two starts against them for the Cardinals last year, holding them to two earned runs in 14 innings.

Giants activate catcher Posey (hamstring) off IL  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants activated catcher Buster Posey off the 10-day injured list on Wednesday before their game against the San Diego Padres.  —  Posey batted cleanup in manager Bruce Bochy's lineup …

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 …

‘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.

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.

Nunez talks with Ortiz, ‘embarrassed’ by shooting  —  Boston Red Sox infielder Eduardo Nunez lamented the fact that David Ortiz was shot in their native Dominican Republic, calling the incident an “international shame.”  —  Nunez, who is friends with Ortiz and shares an agent with the former Red Sox star …

You know what that Angels' sweep of the Dodgers meant?  Not much  —  The distance between the Dodgers and the Angels could be gauged by a decision Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made in the eighth inning of the first game of the Freeway Series on Monday.  —  With the score tied …

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.

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 …

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 …

Blue Jays to call up Canadian rookie Jordan Romano  —  In the midst of a road trip in Baltimore, the Blue Jays are about to get an injection of Canadian content.  —  Sportsnet's the club is calling up right-hander, and Markham Ont., product Jordan Romano as  —  Ken Giles his the IR with elbow inflammation.

How soon could Gallo, Calhoun rejoin the Rangers?  One could be back next week  —  Willie Calhoun could return from the injured list on Monday when the Rangers open a seven-game homestand, and fellow outfielder Joey Gallo could follow the next week to open a six-game road trip.

Yankees need Tanaka, Paxton to be much better than this  —  As splits go, this was half bad for the Yankees.  —  Because their rotation continued to go round with limited merit.  Masahiro Tanaka did enough Tuesday to win the Subway Series opener, or the Mets did enough to lose it.