Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox left game against Tampa Bay Rays with ankle pain, but says he expects to play Wednesday  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis abruptly left Tuesday night's game prior to leading off the fourth inning with what he said felt like a cramp in his right ankle.

Rox mount furious charge in stunning win  —  Smith's walk-off caps club's largest ninth-inning rally  —  DENVER — Rockies players say that comebacks start with a string of good at-bats.  They require patience, durable defense through the end, savvy baserunning and steadfast pitching …

Washington Nationals beat San Diego Padres, 6-5, on Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off homer  —  Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman share the left side of the Washington Nationals' infield, but they occupy separate spheres of a baseball career.  Ryan Zimmerman is a reigning all-star trying to prove he belongs in this year's showcase.

Robinson Cano's decision to participate in Home Run Derby not the news Kevin Long wants to hear  —  OAKLAND - Can Robinson Cano avoid a Home Run Derby hangover?  —  The Yankees' All-Star second baseman has agreed to take part in Monday's showcase event in Anaheim, but his hitting coach …

Damon collects milestone 2,500th hit  —  DETROIT — Johnny Damon says he's paying more attention to milestones now than he did even earlier this year.  So he was well aware his 2,500th hit was coming up by the time his sharp third-inning grounder scooted under Orioles second baseman Julio Lugo and into center field Tuesday night.

Peavy appears headed to DL after injury  —  Right-hander strains muscle on right side  —  CHICAGO — Nothing more concrete will be known about Jake Peavy's injury, suffered in the second inning of Tuesday's 4-1 victory for the White Sox over the Angels, until an MRI is taken on Wednesday.

Stolen Bases and PITCHf/x  —  I tend to think that pitchers have more control over the running game than catchers.  Catchers control their “POP” times, while the pitcher controls his time to the plate, pickoff move, pitch location, and pitch type.  The last two factors are probably …

Mets get the Wright feeling this year  —  The Mets aren't exactly what you'd call a “lucky” team.  In addition to dealing with injuries and late-season skids, there have been issues with players not addressing the media and just a general sense of discontinuity.  But this year is different.

Sternberg: “Money won't be an object” for in-season additions  —  Rays prinicipal owner Stuart Sternberg just said “money won't be an object” in making in-season additions to bolster the team's bid to make the playoffs.  —  Sternberg didn't quite fully open the team checkbook, saying money would …

Diaz, Hinske power Braves past Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA—Matt Diaz hit a tiebreaking double in the 11th inning, Eric Hinske added a two-run homer and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Tuesday night.  —  Yunel Escobar singled off David Herndon (0-2) …

Branded for life with ‘The Mendoza Line’  —  Thirty years ago, in the midst of an early-season slump, George Brett told reporters, “The first thing I look for in the Sunday papers is who is below the Mendoza line.”  Brett, who went on to hit .390 that year for the Kansas City Royals …

Santana's glove work paying huge dividends  —  NEW YORK - Like any veteran with a killer pitch (and an ego to match) Johan Santana wouldn't admit hitters had cracked the code on his change-up.  Was he tipping the arrival of that 81-mph illusion?  It sure seemed that way, although Santana had trouble believing it.

Sherrington: Rangers need a pitcher, and some creative dealing to land one  —  ARLINGTON - A couple of hours before Tuesday's game out at the Ballpark, a front blew in so hard and fast that whitecaps formed on the tarp.  Circuits blew.  Aisles flooded.  When the stakes tore loose and set …