Carlos Peguero's two homers lead Seattle past Rays, 8-2  —  SEATTLE — Rookie Carlos Peguero hit two of Seattle's season-high four home runs, all off James Shields, and ace Felix Hernandez cruised through seven innings to lead the Mariners to an 8-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.

Giants feast on Cards young pitchers  —  With key injuries starting to test the club and two more regulars going, officially, on the disabled list Thursday, the Cardinals imported a couple of fresh arms and looked to catch a break, and win it, too.  —  They needed many things to go right.

SF Giants' Brian Sabean blasts Cousins  —  Giants general manager Brian Sabean on Thursday tore into Scott Cousins of the Florida Marlins for his devastating hit on Buster Posey, saying the Giants will have a “long memory” of play and everyone in the organization will be happy if Cousins is through as a major-league player.

Nine of 30 teams reportedly in violation of MLB debt service rules  —  Dodgers' and Mets' issues are well-known but others are said to carry debt 10 times more than annual earnings.  McCourts' personal use of redirected funds makes situation different, consultant says.

Mets' David Wright has team-specific option in 2013, making potential trade tougher than expected  —  However one defines the concept of “superstar,” David Wright is a top-shelf third baseman, and perennial All-Star.  The widely held perception that he could fetch a heaping pile of prospects in a trade …

Nix sits on Thursday in favor of Ankiel, Bernadina  —  PHOENIX — Although he has been the Nationals' most consistent hitter this season, outfielder Laynce Nix found himself on the bench against D-backs left-hander Zach Duke on Thursday.  —  Instead manager Jim Riggleman decided to play Rick Ankiel …

Hideki Okajima looking to move on from Red Sox, not get called up  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. — With the injury to Rich Hill on Wednesday afternoon leaving the Red Sox without a lefthanded reliever in the bullpen, Hideki Okajima said he harbored little, if any, hope of getting called up to fill that open spot.

Chavez Has 4 Hits, Helps Rangers Beat Indians  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Endy Chavez wasn't sure he would ever play again.  The Texas Rangers are sure glad he hung in there.  —  Chavez, who spent nearly two years recovering from knee surgery, had four hits to help Texas overcome a three-run deficit …

Chris Johnson homers, Astros beat sloppy Padres 7-4  —  SAN DIEGO — Chris Johnson homered and the Houston Astros used a five-run third inning to beat the sloppy San Diego Padres 7-4 on Thursday night in a matchup of the NL's two worst teams.  —  The Astros (23-34), last in the NL Central …

Hiroki Kuroda was anything but a big man on campus in high school  —  The Dodgers right-hander spent most of his time at a Japanese high school on the bench.  But he stayed persistent, made it in college and after 11 pro seasons in Japan, is in his fourth season in L.A.'s rotation.