Schedule means Tampa Bay Rays' James Shields is unlikely to pitch in All-Star Game  —  HOUSTON — RHP James Shields has pitched himself into position to make the American League All-Star team.  But the Rays' plans will leave him in a position where he won't be able to pitch in the July 12 game.

Steve Soboroff steps down as Dodgers vice chairman  —  Steve Soboroff, who publicly clashed with the baseball commissioner's office in his brief tenure as the Dodgers' vice chairman, has resigned.  —  In a letter addressed to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, Soboroff wrote: … — Bill Shaikin

Mets trying to bounce back vs. Rangers  —  Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Conversation  —  Mets-Rangers Preview … The Texas Rangers have been hot over the past week, which the New York Mets found out in their most recent meeting.

Derek Jeter swings a bat  —  NEW YORK — Derek Jeter hit off a tee and took soft toss in Tampa on Saturday, but did not run as he continued his rehab from his strained right calf.  —  Until Jeter begins full-out sprints, a timetable for his return to the pursuit of 3,000 hits will not be known.

Giants beat Indians 1-0 on balk by Tony Sipp  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Sipp balked home the go-ahead run with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, giving the San Francisco Giants a 1-0 victory over the error-prone Cleveland Indians on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.

Verlander strikes out 14, Tigers blank Diamondbacks  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander struck out a career-high 14 in his latest masterful performance, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-0 on Saturday night.  —  Verlander (10-3) allowed four hits over eight innings …

Reds Hit Five Homers, Beat Orioles 10-5  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Joey Votto homered twice and drove in five runs, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-5 Saturday night in a long-ball duel that featured nine home runs.  —  Votto hit a three-run drive in the third inning …

Trevor Cahill shuts down Phillies in A's 4-1 win  —  PHILADELPHIA — Trevor Cahill tossed three-hit ball into the eighth inning, Adam Rosales homered and the Oakland Athletics beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Saturday night.  —  Cahill and Phillies starter Cole Hamels had a nice …

Pittsburgh Beats Wakefield, Red Sox 6-4  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lyle Overbay hit a 3-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled Tim Wakefield's homecoming with a 6-4 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.  —  Jeff Karstens (5-4) pitched effectively into the seventh inning as the Pirates tied …

Braves' Jurrjens becomes NL's 1st 10-game winner  —  SAN DIEGO - Jair Jurrjens pitched six strong innings to become the first 10-game winner in the NL and the Atlanta Braves had eight extra-base hits in a 10-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.

Chris Getz drives in go-ahead run for Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Getz drove in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 Saturday night, snapping a season-high six game losing streak.  —  Getz's bouncer was deflected …

For starters, Rays at Astros  —  Minute Maid Park from the press box.  Photo by Marc Topkin.  —  UPDATE, 7:29: Maddon said he liked the way his righthanders matched up with Rodriguez, especially Shoppach, which is why he moved him up to fifth. ...  Look for Johnny Damon to be in leftfield on Saturday, and maybe also on Sunday. ...