Francisco Rodriguez charged … NEW YORK — Suspended Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has been released without bail and told to stay away from his girlfriend's father while facing charges he assaulted the man.  —  Rodriguez appeared at a Queens courthouse on Thursday afternoon.

Granderson: “I wouldn't necessarily call it big changes”  —  What hitting coach Kevin Long called a “total reformation of the swing” is not quite that drastic according to Curtis Granderson.  After two days spent tweaking his mechanics, Granderson could return to the Yankees lineup tonight with a different look.

Blue Jays stun Red Sox in 9th, 6-5  —  Game Over: Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 5  —  Another Jonathan Papelbon meltdown in the bottom of the ninth and another reason to question why on earth was John Lackey taken out of the game?  In the end, Fred Lewis' bases-loaded sacrifice fly off Daniel Bard won it for the Jays.

Bobby Valentine reportedly would be interested in Mariner job  —  (Bobby Valentine is pictured as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines before a Japan Series game against the Hanshin Tigers in October, 2005.  Photo by Associated Press)  —  One of the first names to surface in speculation …

Phillies rally past Dodgers with 4-run 8th and 9th  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Carlos Ruiz 's game-winning two-run double in the ninth inning capped a frantic rally to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-9 on Thursday night.  —  Ruiz's shot bounced off …

Cueto, Baker, La Russa hit with suspensions  —  Reds starter gets seven games, skippers two games apiece  —  Major League Baseball handed Reds starter Johnny Cueto a seven-game suspension and also suspended Reds manager Dusty Baker and Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa for two games each …

McGehee sets Brewers record with 9th straight hit  —  MILWAUKEE—Casey McGehee set a franchise record with his ninth straight hit, going 4 for 4 and leading the Milwaukee Brewers over the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4 Thursday.  —  McGehee had a solo homer, a two-run double, an RBI single and another single.

The rotations that are made for October  —  If they can get there, Phillies, Cardinals and Red Sox could be dominant in postseason  —  In October, it isn't about home run trots.  And it isn't about bobblehead days.  And it definitely isn't about trade rumors, incentive clauses or your owner's personal psychic.

Rob Dibble amazed by women at baseball game  —  “Those ladies right behind there, they haven't stopped talking the whole game,” Rob Dibble said in the sixth inning of Wednesday night's Nats broadcast.  “They have some conversation going on.  Right here,” he said, circling the offenders.

CUBS IN BRIEF: In-season housecleaning seems likely to continue  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Cubs' trade of Mike Fontenot to the San Francisco Giants a few hours before the teams played Wednesday night might not be the last of the in-season deals the Cubs make.  —  “It's hard to say if it'll …