Sandy Alderson applauds ‘passionate’ Fred Wilpon; Angel Pagan expected to return to face Phillies  —  CHICAGO - After the Mets reacted Tuesday afternoon to Fred Wilpon's critical comments in The New Yorker magazine, and after the team fell, 11-1, to the Cubs, Sandy Alderson arrived in town and offered his take on the controversy.

Teixeira Has Winning Hit in 9th for Yankees  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Curtis Granderson had a tying RBI single in the ninth inning then stole second before Mark Teixeira singled him home to give CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

Royals pitching great, broadcaster Splittorff dies  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Paul Splittorff, the winningest pitcher in Kansas City Royals history and a popular broadcaster for the team, died Wednesday after a battle with oral cancer and melanoma, the club announced.

Bixler gets start in left field  —  MILWAUKEE — Brian Bixler was inserted into the starting lineup as the Nationals' left fielder on Tuesday night, the first time he has started in left during his Major League career.  —  Bixler, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on April 23 …

Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa likely out for the season with torn elbow ligament  —  Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa left Tuesday's game against Arizona after he suffered what the team said is “a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament” in the left elbow.

A's manager Bob Geren under spotlight now  —  The A's finally won a game Tuesday night, beating the Angels 6-1 to snap a six-game skid.  The aftermath of the first victory in a week provided relief for manager Bob Geren amid public criticisms from his closer.  —  Ex-closer, that is.

Avila's 2nd HR in 8th Gives Tigers 7-6 Win vs Rays  —  DETROIT (AP) — Alex Avila's second homer of the game gave the Detroit Tigers the lead in the eighth inning and they held on for a 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.  —  Miguel Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the fifth …

Jair Jurrjens shines as Braves beat Pirates 2-0  —  PITTSBURGH — Jair Jurrjens pitched six-hit ball into the eighth inning to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.  —  Jurrjens (6-1) struck out four and walked one in 7 2-3 innings while dropping his ERA to 1.56.

Jay Bruce's 3-run double in 9th leads Reds over Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jay Bruce hit a tiebreaking, three-run double in the ninth inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 Tuesday night to snap a six-game losing streak.  —  The Reds had lost eight straight …

Quentin Hits 3 HRs, White Sox Outlast Rangers 8-6  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Carlos Quentin hit three home runs and the Chicago White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 8-6 on Tuesday night in a game delayed nearly three hours by heavy rain and hail that sent the crowd hustling for cover all throughout the ballpark.

Games of the Day  —  Boston fans get a lunch-time treat as the Red Sox and Indians play the rubber game of their series at noon, with Jon Lester facing Mitch Talbot.  Despite his 6-1 record, Lester is in a bit of a slump, as he allowed 14 runs in his last three starts.  The Red Sox scored 28 runs in those games, however.

Nolasco, Marlins stop streaking Giants in 5-1 win  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Ricky Nolasco pitched scoreless ball into the ninth inning and the Florida Marlins quieted the streaking San Francisco Giants with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night.  —  Gaby Sanchez had a three-run double and Mike Stanton hit …

Adam Dunn on hitting slump: ‘This is ridiculous’  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — June is around the corner, and Adam Dunn still is fighting his way through a prolonged slump.  —  Dunn, who had three hits in his last nine games before Tuesday and was 0-for-30 against left-handers this season …

Pujols: drought was overblown  —  “MY JOB IS TO HELP THIS TEAM WIN.  IT'S NOT TO GO UP THERE THINKING ABOUT HITTING THE BALL OUT OF THE BALLPARK.”  —  SAN DIEGO  • The day after snapping the longest home run drought of his 11-year career, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols voiced frustration …