Hairston feeling better  —  SAN DIEGO — Third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. didn't start on Thursday against the Padres because of lower back spasms, but was able to take batting practice and expects to play on Friday.  —  Hairston said he feels much better than he did the previous two days.

After sim game, Hughes nears rehab start  —  Yankees right-hander hits 90-92 mph on radar gun  —  NEW YORK — Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes threw 30 pitches during two innings of a simulated game in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, reaching 90-92 mph on the radar gun, manager Joe Girardi said.

Royals calling up 3B Mike Moustakas  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For three years Kansas City Royals fans have waited to see Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, their heralded first-round picks of 2007 and '08, on the field together in Kauffman Stadium.  —  Now it's about to happen.

Red Sox wait to hear on Dustin Pedroia  —  NEW YORK — Dustin Pedroia's appointment with Dr. Tom Gill was at 4:30 p.m. today.  Terry Francona is waiting to hear the result.  —  Francona expressed confidence that Pedroia would be in the lineup tomorrow.  But a few seconds later admitted …

A's fire manager Geren amid nine-game skid  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics have fired manager Bob Geren in the midst of a nine-game losing streak that has sent them tumbling to the bottom of the AL West standings.  —  Oakland general manager Billy Beane immediately announced Thursday …

Tulowitzki drives in four runs as Rockies rally past Dodgers  —  DENVER — Troy Tulowitzki drove in four runs, including a tying two-run single in Colorado's five-run seventh inning, and the Rockies rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7 Thursday night.  —  Tulowitzki delivered …

Yanks' Joba has ligament tear; year likely over  —  NEW YORK — Yankees setup man Joba Chamberlain has a torn ligament in his right elbow, manager Joe Girardi announced Thursday.  He is likely going to miss the remainder of the season.  —  “My guess is he probably is going to have to have surgery,” Girardi said.

Alex Avila, Justin Verlander lead Tigers past Mariners  —  DETROIT - Alex Avila hit two triples and Justin Verlander pitched eight strong innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Thursday night.  —  Verlander (7-3) struck out a season-best 10 while allowing one run on five hits.

Jurrjens leads Braves to rare sweep of Marlins  —  MIAMI — Jair Jurrjens threw seven solid innings and drove in a run as the Atlanta Braves handed the Florida Marlins their eighth straight loss with a 3-2 win Thursday night.  —  Alex Gonzalez also drove in a run with a double as the Braves completed …

Cueto shuts down Giants to help Reds win series opener  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Johnny Cueto pitched seven scoreless innings and Jonny Gomes had three hits and an RBI to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.  —  Cueto (3-2) allowed just four hits …

Young homers as Diamondbacks shut out Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH — Chris Young hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, four Arizona pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout and the Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.

Throwing error in 11th helps Cubs beat Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — Geovany Soto hit a tying homer off Ryan Madson with one out in the ninth and Tyler Colvin scored from second on a throwing error in the 11th to lift the Chicago Cubs over the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Thursday night.

Casilla's single in ninth lifts Twins to win over Rangers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Alexi Casilla laced a single to left field to drive in the winning run with two outs in the ninth and lift the Minnesota Twins to a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on a windy, chilly Thursday night at Target Field.

Berkman, Descalso lead Cardinals to victory over Astros  —  HOUSTON — Lance Berkman broke a tie with an RBI single and pinch-hitter Daniel Descalso had a two-run double in St. Louis' five-run sixth in the Cardinals' 9-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday night.