Phillies Notes: Tired Howard gets a day off  —  WASHINGTON - Anchored as the cleanup hitter, Ryan Howard has seen a lot of lineup changes around him because of all the injuries that have hit the Phillies this season.  —  On Saturday, Howard saw things from the bench when manager Charlie Manuel decided …

Rays' Shields shuts down A-Rod and Yankees  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—James Shields worked into the eighth inning to outpitch CC Sabathia, prolong Alex Rodriguez's quest for his 600th homer and help Tampa Bay beat the New York Yankees 3-0 on Sunday.  —  Carl Crawford and Kelly Shoppach drove …

Liriano dominates, surging Twins beat Seattle 4-0  —  MINNEAPOLIS—Francisco Liriano matched a season high with 11 strikeouts, Jason Kubel snapped out of a slump with a three-run double Sunday and the streaking Minnesota Twins beat the struggling Seattle Mariners 4-0 for the second consecutive day.

Rodriguez strikes out in PH role; manager says rest due for others … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez is not in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays, putting his chase of 600 home runs temporarily on hold.  —  The third baseman was inserted as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning …

Strasburg throws, reports no pain  —  WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg threw on Sunday for the first time since he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 29, and everything went well.  —  Strasburg  —  The Washington Nationals' right-hander was scratched minutes before his scheduled start …

Prospect Kalish enjoys memorable debut  —  Red Sox outfielder collects hit in first at-bat, adds RBI single  —  BOSTON — The biggest acquisition the Red Sox made on Saturday's non-waiver Trade Deadline was courtesy of the farm system.  Outfielder Ryan Kalish, touted for a while as one of …

Hart pushing for contract extension  —  HOUSTON — Astros pitcher Brett Myers parlayed his bounce-back season into a contract extension.  Now that the trade talk has settled, Brewers outfielder Corey Hart would love to discuss being next.  —  Hart has been making public his desire to remain …

Leveraging Future Surplus for Present Wins  —  This picture is totally unrelated to Ryan Ludwick or Jake Westbrook.  I just think it is funny.  —  Browse more photos »  —  I know a lot of you aren't happy with this trade.  I'm not here to tell you it's a blockbuster that John Mozeliak knocked out of the park.

Asian players treated better than Latinos, Sox manager Guillen says … CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says Asian players are given privileges in the United States that Latinos are not afforded.  —  In his latest rant, the outspoken Guillen also says he's the “only one” …

Winners and Losers: Rangers improve most  —  Something about July turns baseball executives into spring breakers.  They forget about consequences, about long-term plans, about everything rational, and they go hog wild.  They give up the game's most valuable commodity - cheap prospects - with impunity.

Mets' idle deadline: Years in the making  —  Exorbitant salaries, thin farm system limit options as team languishes in standings … NEW YORK — The trading deadline passed Saturday at 4 p.m. with the New York Mets having done nothing, unless sending Triple-A first baseman Mike Jacobs …

Red Sox acquire Saltalamacchia  —  The Red Sox have obtained catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Texas for 1B Chris McGuiness, RHP Roman Mendez, a player to be named later and cash considerations.  —  The 6-foot-4, switch-hitting Saltalamacchia was once a heralded prospect who has fallen on hard times.