Orioles: Former pitcher Flanagan found dead  —  County police say investigation continuing, body not identified  —  Former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, a Cy Young Award winner who became a face of the franchise as a television announcer and top executive, died Wednesday afternoon, according to the Orioles.

Sources: Indians make claim on Thome  —  Twins designated hitter Jim Thome was claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Indians, while outfielder Jason Kubel was claimed by the Chicago White Sox, according to major-league sources.  —  The claims do not mean that either player will change teams.

Liriano on 15-day DL with left shoulder strain  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left posterior shoulder strain after leaving Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Orioles after just two innings.  —  Left-hander Scott Diamond …

Lenny Dykstra Charged With Indecent Exposure in LA  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra has been charged in Los Angeles for allegedly exposing himself to women he met on Craigslist.  —  The city attorney's office said Thursday …

Friedman, Colletti, Cashman on Ricketts' radar  —  Randy Wells pitches in the first inning on his way to getting the victory Wednesday.  Richard A. Chapman~Sun-Times  —  Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts is wasting no time gathering information on potential general manager candidates …

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon calls Detroit Tigers' barking over Sean Rodriguez's hustle ‘insane’  —  ST. PETERSBURG — As odd as the ending to Wednesday's game was, manager Joe Maddon said it couldn't have been more fitting that Sean Rodriguez's extreme hustle was the key to the Rays' win.

Yankees become first to hit three grand slams in a game  —  Curtis Granderson, Russell Martin and Robinson Cano each hit grand slams as the New York Yankees set a major league record with three grand slams in one game and pounded the visiting Oakland Athletics, 22-9, on Thursday afternoon.

Martino: Winning means both Reyes & Wright  —  David Wright, once again left alone to carry his team, is batting .213 in August.  Jose Reyes is set to play for the Mets Thursday night.  The Binghamton Mets.  This pair is imperfect.  —  Doesn't matter.  The team must find a way to keep …

Speculation about A's GM Billy Beane  —  New York —  There is increasing thought among baseball people, including some who know him well, that A's general manager Billy Beane might consider an offer if the Cubs do approach him about their GM vacancy, as expected.

Ozzie Guillen on Peter Bourjos: “I've never seen a white man that can run that fast”  —  Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos has been one of the most underrated players in baseball this season, combining exceptional defense with surprisingly strong hitting to rank 11th among AL position players in Wins Above Replacement.

Phillies announcer, former All-Star Gary Matthews calls Mets ‘crybabies’ in 7-4 Mets victory  —  PHILADELPHIA - Injuries, and now insults.  Jon Niese on the disabled list with a sore right rib cage, Scott Hairston soon to follow will rib problems of his own, Ronny Paulino with a toe that might be broken.

Joe Nathan Would Consider Trades  —  Joe Nathan has been a member of the Twins' bullpen since Minnesota traded for him late in 2003, but he'd consider moving on under the right circumstances.  He told Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he'd look at possible deals on a case by case basis.

‘Fatigued’ starters concern Rangers CEO Ryan  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — After watching back-to-back blowouts, Texas Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan is starting to have concerns as the team's lead in the AL West has been cut to 2.5 games.  —  “I think I've learned about this ballclub …

Weaver, Angels rout WSox 8-0 in 6th straight win  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—The money didn't change Jered Weaver(notes).  A day after he signed a lucrative new contract with the Los Angeles Angels, he was his inimitable, near-unhittable self on the mound.  —  And the way his teammates …