Nats' defense really picking it up of late  —  ATLANTA — The Nationals went into the season determined to play much better defense and, for the most part, they have done just that.  Don't be deceived by the team's .982 fielding percentage, which is tied for 12th in the 16-team National League.

Selig appointed former Jamie McCourt consultant  —  LOS ANGELES—A former baseball executive appointed by Commissioner Bud Selig to help oversee the troubled Los Angeles Dodgers was relieved of his duties after it was discovered he was a paid consultant last year to ex-team CEO Jamie McCourt, an attorney for Frank McCourt wrote Tuesday.

After balk, Red Sox have a talk with Aceves  —  Alfredo Aceves is a talented pitcher.  He has allowed only 113 hits over 139.1 career innings with 33 walks and 94 strikeouts There aren't too many guys out there with a career 3.17 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.  —  Part of his being good is being stubborn and a little arrogant.

Marlins beat Halladay, Phillies 2-1  —  MIAMI - In a matchup of aces, Roy Halladay's walk to Josh Johnson proved pivotal.  —  Johnson scored the Florida Marlins' first run, and they squeezed out another in the eighth inning to beat Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Yanks GM: Jeter still ‘above-average shortstop’  —  New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman still considers Derek Jeter “an above-average shortstop,” and doesn't believe his offense production — or lack thereof — “is going to make or break” the team.

Jason Marquis gets 100th win backed by Nix, Werth homers  —  ATLANTA — Jason Marquis earned his 100th career win, backed by a pair of three-run homers from Laynce Nix and Jayson Werth, and the Washington Nationals held off the error-plagued Atlanta Braves 7-6 Tuesday night.

John Farrell defends pulling Brandon Morrow from game  —  After John Farrell came to take his struggling pitcher out of the ballgame in the fourth inning, an unhappy Brandon Morrow glanced back toward the mound as he was walking off the field.  —  Farrell said he didn't see that and Morrow insists he didn't say anything.

Cluelessness and Sexism is Alive and Well in Sports  —  As a female sports fan I would like to believe that in 2011 sports teams, leagues and companies recognize they have a very large female following and they would do their best to market not only to men, but to the knowledgeable female base as well.

Royals putting Chen on DL with strained side  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are putting left-hander Bruce Chen on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his left side and will recall Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Omaha.  —  The team announced the planned moves before Tuesday night's game against the New York Yankees.

Cards manager La Russa has shingles, return unsure  —  ST. LOUIS—St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has been diagnosed with shingles and was having tests Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic, and it was uncertain when he would return to the team.  —  Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak …

Astros sign ex-Ranger Ramirez to boost catching depth  —  1,090  —  With Carlos Corporan, who had a strong major league spring training, out for a month at Class AAA, the Astros have acquired a backup plan to their backup plan, signing former Rangers catcher Max Ramirez to a minor league deal.

Shrill-voiced stadium vendor dies  —  Kenny Geidel, the well-known, shrill-voiced vendor at Pittsburgh sporting events for three decades, died Monday, the Pirates confirmed this afternoon.  —  Some knew Mr. Geidel as the Cotton Candy Guy, the Lemonade Guy, or the “Coke here!”  Guy.

Bob Allen  —  HOUSTON (KTRK) — Despite denials from Drayton McLane that a sale has been finalized, nearly everything has been agreed to with potential buyer Jim Crane.  —  All that's left to do is just a little fine-tuning before the sale of the Astros to Crane and his group is announced.

White Sox use long ball to knock off Angels in Anaheim  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Edwin Jackson pitched seven superb innings for his first victory in more than a month, Carlos Quentin homered and drove in five runs, and the Chicago White Sox routed the Los Angeles Angels 8-0 on Monday night.

Dodgers Head Further Into the Darkness  —  The funny part is, what was a pretty solid start from Chad Billingsley is going to get lost in a sea of poor bullpen work, bad umpiring, the usual lousy Dodger offense, and the big scarlet L that got hung on Billingsley's chest.