Dodgers take issue with inside pitches  —  Kershaw, Torre, bench coach Schaefer ejected vs. Giants  —  LOS ANGELES — The Giants-Dodgers rivalry found a new subtext Tuesday night.  —  In a matchup of aces Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw, both Kershaw and his Dodgers bench coach …

Philadelphia Phillies GM hints about acquiring starting pitcher  —  There were indications Tuesday the Phillies were working on a major deal to acquire a starting pitcher in an attempt to save a season that has veered in the wrong direction this month.  —  The Phillies will need a starting pitcher …

Cora livid after Mets' latest lackluster ‘L’  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PHOENIX — Alex Cora is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.  —  The veteran utilityman, miffed by the laughter inside the Mets' clubhouse after last night's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, fired venom in the direction …

Philadelphia Phillies' Jamie Moyer leaves start with strained elbow  —  ST. LOUIS — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer strained his left elbow and was removed after one inning in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  The 47-year-old Moyer is the oldest pitcher in the major leagues.

Ramirez's 3 homers powers Cubs past Astros  —  CHICAGO—Aramis Ramirez hit three homers and drove in seven runs to help Chicago rally to beat the Houston Astros 14-7 on Tuesday night hours after Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Downs the best available  —  The Scott Downs watch continued Tuesday night.  —  “He's the best lefty reliever on the market, I think they'll get something good for him,” said one scout.  “It won't be us.  They want too much.”  —  Downs has walked eight and struck out 30 in 39 1/3 innings as a set-up man for the Jays.

Lowrie might be activated tomorrow  —  Jed Lowrie was expected in the Sox clubhouse here at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum shortly.  While he will not be activated in time for tonight's game, according to manager Terry Francona, he's expected to take a roster spot tomorrow or in time for the Seattle series.

Harper: Mets don't need an ace, Jake will do … BEST OF NYDN.COM

Athletics beat Red Sox 5-4 in 10 innings  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—After an early flurry of runs, the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox struggled to generate any offense until Kevin Kouzmanoff finally came through.  —  Kouzmanoff's two-out RBI single capped a wild 10th inning …

Contact Us  —  Registration … The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Pirates starter Paul Maholm, an industry source outside the team said this afternoon.  —  There has been no indication from the Pirates that Maholm or any player is on the trading block, though they have acknowledged that they will listen to offers.

Julio Lugo's single lifts Orioles past Rays in 13th inning  —  BALTIMORE — In a year when they have turned losing into an art form, the Orioles avoided another head-shaking defeat by finding some late-game heroics.  —  Julio Lugo's one-out single in the bottom of the 13th inning off former …