Instant replay to begin in series starting Thursday  —  MLB Instant Replay To Start On Thursday  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball reversed its long-standing opposition to instant replay and will allow umpires to check video on home run calls in series that start Thursday.

The Boos Come Through After Rodriguez Does Not, And Pettitte Doesn't Help  —  It is late August, the Boston Red Sox are in town, and a poor showing by the gurgling Yankees could sink their playoff hopes.  This may be the closest the Yankees get to the postseason, and Alex Rodriguez is in October form.

Red Sox acquire Kotsay from Braves  —  NEW YORK - The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Mark Kotsay from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night pending a physical, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the deal.  The Braves will receive a minor-league pitcher in return.

Dodgers can't find their way home  —  They hit into four double plays, all started at third base, and lose their fifth in a row.  —  WASHINGTON — The Dodgers ought to gather a bunch of bats together this afternoon, then light them afire, as a sacrifice to the baseball gods.  —  Their season might depend on it.

Fourth straight loss hurts Twins  —  Minnesota falls two games behind Chicago in AL Central  —  SEATTLE — The Twins entered Tuesday night's game feeling like they've had a chance to win each of their first five contests on their current 14-game road trip.

postGame: Phillies 8 Mets 7  —  The Mets (73-60) lost to the Phillies (73-59) by the score of 8 to 7 in Citizen's Bank Park.  —  For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.  —  Despite the result, this was, without a doubt, the most entertaining baseball game of the season, and one of the best games I have seen in years.

Morrow's first start for M's will be against Yankees  —  Brandon Morrow, who pitched Tuesday night for Triple-A Tacoma as part of the Mariners' quest to make him a starting pitcher, will get one more start early next week.  —  After that, the Mariners will be able to promote him thanks to roster expansion …

Fuentes on bereavement list; Register called up  —  Willy Taveras discussed the standings, and made a proclamation.  —  “We are still in the race,” said Taveras today as the Rockies play the San Francisco Giants while trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by seven games in the National League West.

Lamb's bat won't be silent for long  —  Look for third baseman Mike Lamb, designated for assignment Monday by Minnesota, to land somewhere.  Lamb could be a good fit for a few National League contenders looking for a left-handed bat off the bench.  —  The Twins signed Lamb to a two-year …

Kenny Rogers placed on waivers, could be traded soon  —  His experience in postseason is a plus  —  If a trade involving Tigers left-hander Kenny Rogers is going to happen before the end of this season, it likely will occur within the next several days.  —  The deadline to set postseason rosters …

Orioles drop fifth straight  —  Burres allows five earned runs and 10 hits in return from Norfolk; Mount St. Joseph's grad Floyd pitches eight innings of four-hit ball for White Sox  —  Gavin Floyd pitched eight innings of four-hit ball, Nick Swisher homered, and the Chicago White Sox handed …

Report: With Maine on DL, Mets may call up Niese  —  NEW YORK — With John Maine back on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, the New York Mets are reportedly eyeing their farm system for pitching help.  —  Newsday reported that the Mets are preparing to call up top pitching prospect Jon Niese …

Fukudome still making progress  —  PITTSBURGH —Just like that, Kosuke Fukudome might be on his way back to becoming an every-day fixture in the Cubs' lineup.  —  And if manager Lou Piniella has his way, back to the No. 5 spot in the order.  —  Just one day after Piniella …