Beckett gets 1,000 Ks, BoSox top Tigers  —  And the Red Sox star reached a milestone along the way  —  Beckett had eight strikeouts, including the 1,000th of his career, to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.  —  Beckett (4-2) gave up six hits and a run in seven innings.

Gabbard Hurt Again?  —  Kason Gabbard just left the Rangers/Mariners game with two out in the fourth and a 4-0 lead.  After a walk, an infield single and error, there's runners on second and third.  He only threw 63 pitches, but he looked hurt walking off the field.

Baseball at breaking point over maple bats  —  Someone's going to die at a baseball stadium soon.  —  Might be a player.  Could be an umpire.  Possibly even a fan.  —  It almost was a coach.  —  The scar on Don Long's left cheek still puffs around the edges, fresh enough that it looks …

‘Pathetic’ sums up Jays' performance  —  TORONTO — Thirteen innings of baseball lost on a grand slam, but it was the 10th inning - oh, that horrible, bitter 10th - that must surely have made for a glum chartered flight for the Toronto Blue Jays to Cleveland last night.

Tribe strikes back at Joba Chamberlain  —  Two nights ago, Indians outfielder David Dellucci pinch-hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Joba Chamberlain.  After giving up that shot, the 22-year-old reliever bent over, avoided watching the runners score and otherwise appeared upset.

Miguel Cabrera says first-place Marlins don't need him  —  DETROIT - For a moment, for the time he allows himself to remember, Miguel Cabrera's smile comes up and his body finds tempo and he swings an imaginary Alfredo Amezaga over a hip in some impromptu Marlins dugout celebration.

It's Joba being Joba (and that's OK)  —  Did Joba Chamberlain park in Mike and the Mad Dog's space at the Stadium?  —  Quick synopsis of the show this afternoon:  —  * Joba should never pump his fist when he pitches well.  That shows the opposition up.  —  * Joba should sit in the dugout and …

Cubs' Felix Pie may be returning to minors  —  Those changes manager Lou Piniella mentioned Tuesday may come sooner than expected if the Cubs don't snap out of their recent stretch of nine losses in 13 games.  —  That could spell bad news for Felix Pie, who may be headed back to Triple-A Iowa to work on his swing.

Heilman trying to get back on track for Mets  —  It was a sleepy Wednesday morning in the visitor's clubhouse at Dodger Stadium and many of the players were either eating breakfast or dragging themselves to the indoor batting cages.  Aaron Heilman was among the early crowd that arrived …

Rangers designate Broussard  —  With Young out, Metcalf activated from disabled list  —  SEATTLE — The Rangers designated first baseman Ben Broussard for assignment and activated third baseman Travis Metcalf off the disabled list on Thursday.  —  Broussard was dropped from the roster …

Pirates acquire Michaels, demote Morgan  —  The Pirates today acquired outfielder Jason Michaels and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named.  —  Michaels will take the roster spot of outfielder Nyjer Morgan, who was optioned this afternoon to Class AAA Indianapolis.

Steve Phillips's Moronic Guide To The Reds  —  I was sent this ESPN The Magazine article, and wow, I'm just blown over with its utter stupidity.  Of course, it's by Steve Phillips, so this comes as little surprise.  But still, it's low, even by his standards.  Hopefully you all have a good chuckle at it.

Yankees power their way past Tribe  —  Cano, Giambi break out of slump, hit two of team's four homers  —  NEW YORK — Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi, a couple of Yankees who have been struggling at the plate, found some life in their bats on Thursday and helped their team get out of town …

Source: Reynolds to make Rockies debut Sunday  —  Greg Reynolds will make his major league debut Sunday at San Diego, according to a source close to the situation, replacing struggling Mark Redman as the Rockies seek to rectify their sagging rotation.  —  Reynolds started for Triple …