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.

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.

Dodgers can't find their way home  —  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.  The baseball gods are mocking the Dodgers, never more painfully than Tuesday.

Lee wins No. 19 for Tribe's ninth straight  —  Francisco hits two of Cleveland's four homers, drives in four  —  DETROIT — Memo to the Baseball Writers' Association of America: Print the award ballots prematurely, and scribble Cliff Lee's name next to “American League Cy Young.”

Sheets stifles Cards' offense in opener  —  Righty hurls six shutout innings; offense posts seven-run ninth  —  ST. LOUIS — The Brewers may not be able to completely knock down a Wild Card competitor with a victory Wednesday.  But they could certainly stagger the Cardinals if they continue …

Cubs win wild one in Pittsburgh  —  PITTSBURGH — It was another adventuresome night for Carlos Zambrano, who Tuesday night became the unofficial league-leader in water cooler tossing, extended his RBI streak to eight games and failed to last five innings for the second time in August.

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.

Jays shut Accardo down for the season  —  Righty reliever pitched only 16 games for Toronto in 2008  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Blue Jays have decided to shut down reliever Jeremy Accardo, opting to have the injured pitcher get an early start to his offseason in an effort to make a healthy return for next year.

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 …

Lackey goes distance to beat A's  —  Right-hander continues dominance of rival for 11th victory  —  ANAHEIM — John Lackey pitched a complete game and the Angels offense finally got on track in the Angels' 5-1 win over the A's on Tuesday in front of 37,431 at Angel Stadium.

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.

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 …