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.

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.

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.

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 …