Rays acquire reliever Bradford from Orioles  —  SEATTLE — The first-place Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Chad Bradford from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, bolstering their bullpen with a proven postseason pitcher.  —  The Rays claimed the submarining right-hander on waivers and then got …

Tired Pettitte still set to start  —  Andy Pettitte says he feels well enough to pitch, but there are those within the Yankees organization that believe the lefthander may be suffering from some fatigue in his pitching arm.  —  According to a source with knowledge of the situation …

New York Yankees blank Rangers, 3-0  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — In seven scoreless innings, Mike Mussina (15-7) gave up eight hits, walked one, struck out six and held Texas 1-for-6 with men in scoring position in a 3-0 victory over Texas Thursday night.  —  How impressive was his performance …

Yankees' Pudge hurts knee in collision at plate  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - The Yankees took yet another injury hit last night when Ivan Rodriguez went down with a bruised right knee that leaves his status as day to day.  —  Rodriguez, who was acquired last week from the Tigers …

Ramirez homers again, Dodgers beat Cards  —  ST. LOUIS (AP)—Clayton Kershaw went right after St. Louis Cardinals hitters who had put up 15 runs the previous two games.  It turned out to be the perfect game plan.  —  The 20-year-old rookie worked seven dominant innings and Manny Ramirez homered …

Phils Get Eyre  —  We just caught wind that the Phillies have acquired lefthander Scott Eyre from the Chicago Cubs.  —  It appears single-A Clearwater pitcher Brian Schlitter was part of the trade.  —  Details to come.  —  Update: It's official.  The Phillies have traded Schlitter to the Cubs for Eyre.

Postgame notes from Phil Hughes appearance Thursday night  —  A couple of postgame Phil Hughes notes for you Phil Phanatics out there....  -Hughes and minor-league pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras were both very pleased with the way Phranchise threw the ball.

Source: MLB investigating Manny's departure  —  Do you wonder a little about Manny Ramirez's unusual final days in Boston?  The commissioner's office apparently wonders as well.  We found this tidbit in a Dan Shaughnessy column posted on Boston.com this afternoon very interesting:

Brewers in thick of pennant race  —  Club enters August with postseason hopes ablaze  —  MILWAUKEE — The Green Bay Packers hope their saga is over.  The Milwaukee Brewers hope theirs is just beginning.  —  With Brett Favre headed to New York, Packers fans can focus on football and Brewers fans can focus on another pennant race.

News briefs: Gaston to return as Blue Jays manager next season  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  TORONTO — Cito Gaston will return as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays next year.  —  “Cito's definitely going to be back,” general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Thursday.  “He's done a good job.

Santana not upset with lack of wins for Mets  —  The routine has become all too familiar for Johan Santana.  Walk off the mound to a standing ovation at Shea, then stand at your locker an hour or so later, with that same empty feeling in your stomach, trying to explain how it all went wrong — again.

Tigers snap 6-game skid, beat White Sox  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Manager Jim Leyland was realistic before the game even started, describing Detroit's chances for making a late run in the AL Central.  —  “Eventually time runs out if you don't start winning games,” he said.  “Do we have time?  Yes.”

Astros' Oswalt improves to 21-1 vs. Reds  —  CINCINNATI (AP)—Give Roy Oswalt a lead against any opponent and the Houston Astros feel pretty good.  —  Give it to him against Cincinnati and the game's usually over.  —  Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer to give the Astros an early advantage …