ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies survived another poor offensive showing, just a bit too late to reward Cole Hamels ‘ command performance in blazing heat.  —  Placido Polanco homered leading off the 11th inning as the Phillies ended the St. Louis Cardinals’ eight-game winning streak …

Verlander, Cabrera help Tigers take down Blue Jays  —  DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera started a three-run eighth inning with an RBI double, and Justin Verlander settled down after a rocky start to go eight innings in the Detroit Tigers' 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

Manuel's job in jeopardy  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PHOENIX — The other day in San Francisco at AT&T Park the interview area for manager Jerry Manuel was moved to around the corner from the clubhouse.  —  When Manuel emerged from the clubhouse and saw that his usual spot near the door …

Game 96: Red Sox at Mariners  —  The Sox will try and get on the right track at Safeco Field.  Here are the lineups:  —  RED SOX (53-42)  —  Scutaro SS  —  McDonald LF  —  Ortiz DH  —  Youkilis 1B  —  Beltre 3B  —  Hall 2B  —  Cash C  —  Pitching: RHP John Lackey (9-5, 4.65)

Baseball Using Minor Leagues for a Drug Test  —  Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it would immediately expand its drug-testing program by drawing blood from minor league players to test for human growth hormone.  —  Olympic athletes have been subject to blood testing for many years …

Constant lineup tweaks paying off for Maddon  —  Rays' offense has second-greatest run differential in Majors  —  In an ideal world, Joe Maddon would walk into his office, take a look at his lineup card and fill in two names.  —  The Rays' manager would have seven spots set in stone each day …

Angels Acquire Alberto Callaspo  —  Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star is reporting (via Twitter) that infielder Alberto Callaspo has been dealt from the Royals to the Angels in exchange for right-hander Sean O'Sullivan and minor league left-hander Will Smith.

Podsednik says he'd like to stay in KC  —  The name of just about every Royal is being thrown around in trade rumors these days.  —  And as the team continues to slump, some of these rumors are bound to come true.  —  Jose Guillen knows this.  David DeJesus knows this.

Yankees recognize and honor the passing of Ralph Houk; wear armbands on jerseys for remainder of season  —  Ralph Houk passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday at his home in Winter Haven, Fla. To honor the memory of Houk, the Yankees will wear black armbands below the Bob Sheppard patch …

Marlins walk-off Rockies 3-2 to win series in Miami  —  MIAMI — A gentle morning breeze stirred the flags at Sun Life Stadium Thursday.  The grass was green, expectant.  The night's wicked storm was hours away.  Manager Jim Tracy, who has a place in Florida, sat back on the bench and enjoyed the moment.

Ozzie: Options ‘open now’ after Jenks' blown save  —  SEATTLE — The White Sox's closer's role is open after Bobby Jenks blew a lead for the second time on this 10-game trip.  —  “Our options are open now,” manager Ozzie Guillen said Wednesday night after Jenks allowed a two-run single …

Pitching remains Dodgers' priority  —  With trade deadline looming, L.A. could add an arm but might upgrade elsewhere  —  LOS ANGELES — With 10 days remaining before baseball's annual trading deadline, the Dodgers' efforts to upgrade their starting rotation appear to be zeroing in on Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros.

Twelve Thoughts: Dodgers Ownership, Upton and Griffey, All-Star Bonuses  —  o.  Bud Selig needs to find a new owner for the Dodgers.  —  Time to make amends, commish.  You steered Frank and Jamie McCourt, the dodgy duo from the Evil Coast, into control of the Dodgers.  They've shown they weren't to be trusted.

Phillies pitcher Moyer, 47, headed for 15-day DL  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer is headed for the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury that forced him out of his last start after only one inning.  —  The 47-year-old left-hander was hurt Tuesday …

MLB clears Mark Cuban to bid; judge reassures Rangers manager  —  Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been cleared by Major League Baseball to bid on the Texas Rangers, his lawyer, Clifton Jessup of Dallas, said today.  —  Meanwhile, Rangers manager Ron Washington, called to court …