LAPD exonerates suspect in Bryan Stow beating, source says [Updated]  —  Los Angeles police have arrested two men on suspicion of beating baseball fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium and have concluded the suspect they took into custody in May was not responsible, a law enforcement source familiar …

Carlos Beltran to stay in NL East?  —  New York Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran's next home may still be in the National League East.  Among the most active scouting occurring in the Beltran sweepstakes involves intra-division teams.  —  Gordon Lakey, the director of major league scouting …

Champions Japan Threaten WBC Boycott Over Revenue  —  TOKYO (Reuters) - Champions Japan may boycott the next World Baseball Classic (WBC) if they are not paid a greater share of the tournament revenue, the players' union said on Friday.  —  The union planned to negotiate with Major League Baseball …

Verlander, Peralta leads Tigers to win over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Verlander threw eight dominant innings, Jhonny Peralta drove in three runs with three hits and the Detroit Tigers beat Minnesota 6-2 on Thursday for their 10th straight win over the Twins.

Ian Kennedy wins 11th, Diamondbacks beat Brewers 4-0  —  PHOENIX — Ian Kennedy gave up four hits over seven innings to earn his 11th victory and the Arizona Diamondbacks got home runs from Justin Upton, Miguel Montero and Kelly Johnson to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0 on Thursday night and split the four-game series.

Braves hit three homers, beat Rockies  —  DENVER — Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman each homered and had two hits and the Atlanta Braves overcame a shaky start by Tommy Hanson to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-6 Thursday.  —  Brooks Conrad homered and Nate McLouth had two hits apiece for Atlanta …

Johnny Damon Tells MLB Network He Would Prefer to Enter the Hall of Fame as a Royal  —  Tonight on MLB Network Johnny Damon did a pregame interview with Matt Vasgersian.  The interview touched on the end of Damon's career, and if he ever thinks about getting close to the Hall of Fame.

Theo Epstein: Red Sox would like to lock up Jacoby Ellsbury with a long-term deal  —  Theo Epstein did an interview on WEEI this morning.  There were three notable answers.  —  On signing Jacoby Ellsbury long term: “Yeah, I think with all of our young players that we see as core members …

Shields Outduels Sabathia, Rays Beat Yankees  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star James Shields won for the first time in nearly a month, outpitching CC Sabathia and beating the New York Yankees 2-1 on Thursday night.  —  Shields (9-8) allowed six hits …

Will run-starved Mariners move pitching for offense?  —  The Mariners, mired in a 12-game losing streak with the worst offense in baseball, aren't in a position to declare that vast numbers of their players are “untouchable.”  —  Indeed, many rival executives believe only three players …

Chicken and gags situation at this baseball induction ceremony  —  An irreverent nonprofit group that celebrates the game holds its annual awards, honoring the likes of the San Diego mascot and Dodgers great Maury Wills among others.  —  The famous San Diego Chicken poses for a picture …

Joe Girardi says he'll consider eventually batting Brett Gardner at leadoff instead of Derek Jeter  —  Brett Gardner's recent offensive streak is difficult for Joe Girardi to ignore.  The issue, if Gardner ends up batting leadoff, is where to slot Derek Jeter in the Yankees lineup.

Will Cubs take hit on Alfonso Soriano?  —  The Chicago Cubs would be willing to absorb a high percentage of left fielder Alfonso Soriano's contract if the right trade offer came along, a source familiar with the situation told ESPNChicago.com.  —  Soriano has more than $60 million remaining …