Mets offense breaks out to back Steve Matz, beat Indians  —  The playoffs started Tuesday, J.D. Davis said.  —  Not the literal postseason, of course.  That won't happen for six weeks, if the Mets play well enough to get there.  But the metaphorical playoffs, the virtual playoffs …

Lamb, Escobar deliver big hits, D-backs beat Rockies 8-7  —  Jake Lamb had a tiebreaking two-run single in the sixth inning and the  —  Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat the  —  Colorado Rockies 8-7 Tuesday night.  —  The Diamondbacks scored five runs in the sixth off Colorado starter

Sources: Sale expected to avoid Tommy John  —  Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale will miss the remainder of the regular season with a left elbow injury but is expected to avoid Tommy John surgery after a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews confirmed a previous diagnosis of inflammation, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

Vlad and the lads relish the challenge of rare visit to Dodger Stadium  —  LOS ANGELES — They may not yet be ready for star billing in nearby Hollywood, but a visit to Dodger Stadium certainly provides the latest opportunity for the young Blue Jays to put on a show.

Alberto HR gives Orioles 4-1 win over Royals, ending skid  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — It had been a while since the  —  Baltimore Orioles celebrated a victory, so forgive them for getting carried away after finally nabbing their 40th win of a very long season.  —  Rookie

Ex-Mets Luis Castillo, Octavio Dotel linked to Dominican Republic drug trafficking ring  —  A pair of ex-Mets have been linked to a drug trafficking ring in the Dominican Republic.  —  Octavio Dotel was arrested and local cops are searching for Luis Castillo as part of a major raid …

Cruz, Twins cruise to 14-4 win over White Sox  —  Nelson Cruz homered and drove in three runs on four hits for Minnesota in his second game back from a wrist injury, yet another powerful performance at the plate by the 39-year-old designated hitter for the Twins in a 14-4 victory over the

Rizzo homers twice as Cubs beat Giants 5-3  —  Cole Hamels pitched six innings for his first win in two months, helping the  —  San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Tuesday night.  —  Nicholas Castellanos also went deep as Chicago earned its third straight victory.

Freeman's 2 homers, 4 RBIs carry Braves past Marlins 5-1  —  Freddie Freeman homered twice and drove in four runs,  —  Dallas Keuchel kept working out of trouble and the  —  Miami Marlins 5-1 on Tuesday night.  —  Freeman sent one went the opposite way into the Marlins bullpen against

Astros hit 3 homers, beat Tigers 6-3; Sanchez, Correa to IL  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Houston's win over Detroit on was tempered by news that shortstop  —  Aaron Sanchez are both heading to the injured list.  —  George Springer,  —  Jose Altuve and  —  Martin Maldonado homered to lead the

Fowler drives in 4 runs in Cardinals 9-2 win over Brewers  —  Dexter Fowler hit a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, leading the St. Louis  —  Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 on Tuesday night in the second game of the series between NL Central contenders.  —  Tyler Webb (1-1) …

Roger Clemens: ‘No interest’ in running for Congress despite GOP recruitment effort  —  Former Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens is “honored” by the encouragement to run for Congress, but he has ruled it out — blaming the “climate in politics.”  —  In a message written …