MLB playoff picture: Updated look at division, wild card races  —  With less than three weeks remaining in the Major League Baseball regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape.  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers are cruising with a 17.5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks …

Wilson, Alonso help Mets escape shaky 9th, beat D-backs 3-2  —  Ketel Marte's line drive and thought maybe the game was over.  Then Alonso smothered the ball, and nobody at Citi Field was sure what the Polar Bear would do next.  —  “Your mind goes a mile a minute in that situation,” third baseman

Big Papi surprises fans with 1st pitch at Fenway  —  David Ortiz made a surprise appearance at Fenway Park on Monday night for the first time since he was shot in a botched assassination attempt in his native Dominican Republic in June.  —  Ortiz, a beloved figure among the Boston Red Sox faithful …

Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured knee cap.  —  MIAMI — Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich has been forced to leave the game at Miami after fouling a ball of his leg.  —  Yelich limped off the field in the first inning Tuesday night.

Ozuna wants spot in Cards' crowded outfield next season  —  The regular-season clock might be ticking down on Marcell Ozuna as a Cardinal.  Ozuna, who turns 29 in November, will be entering free agency for the first time and will be at or near his peak.  He should have a collection of suitors, perhaps including the Cardinals.

Mariners Promote 4 Prospects, Designate Ryan Court  —  The Mariners announced the promotion of four prospects: righty Justin Dunn, outfielder Kyle Lewis, infielder Donnie Walton, and righty Art Warren.  To create 40-man roster space, the club designated utilityman Ryan Court for assignment.

Twins end CF Byron Buxton's season with shoulder injury  —  Minnesota Twins have placed center fielder  —  Byron Buxton and his ailing left shoulder on the 60-day injured list, ending his season and leaving the American League Central leaders without their best defensive player for the rest of the pennant race.

Giants fire eight pro scouts, including some key to World Series title runs  —  Big changes are inevitable in a regime change, and the Giants are no exception.  —  In the first of what could be many such moves, the Giants fired eight of their 20 pro scouts Tuesday, including …

Orioles GM continues overhaul, fires 14 more  —  BALTIMORE — Orioles general manager Mike Elias has fired 14 members of the organization, most from the player development department and international operations.  —  Elias has dismissed 25 people thus far in an overhaul of the system that he inherited when taking the job in November.

AL wild-card leader Tampa Bay wins 5-3 in 11 over Rangers  —  Kean Wong was churning hard to get to first base and keep the  —  Tampa Bay Rays going in the 11th inning when his two-out slow roller was being bobbled by the pitcher.  —  Only when Wong was safe at first, after  —  Texas Rangers rookie reliever

Yanks blow 6-run lead, lose 12-11 to big league-worst Tigers  —  DETROIT (AP) — Playing the worst team in the major leagues, the  —  New York Yankees took a six-run lead in the second inning.  —  Not enough.  —  Jordy Mercer capped the comeback with a game-ending single off

Jiménez slam helps White Sox power past Royals 7-3  —  Eloy Jimenez hit his first career grand slam,  —  Yoan Moncada launched a monster two-run homer and the  —  Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Tuesday night.  —  Adam Engel added a solo shot for as the White Sox won their second straight, but just their fourth in 14 games.