$1.5M allegedly embezzled from Giants  —  The former payroll manager for the San Francisco Giants was arrested on federal charges in connection with the embezzlement of more than $1.5 million from the accounts of players, local station KGO-TV reported Tuesday.

John Lackey, Red Sox insist they weren't throwing at Francisco Cervelli, but didn't mind hitting him  —  BOSTON - The Red Sox insist they were not trying to hit Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli with the first pitch of the seventh inning, a play that brought both teams out of their dugouts and bullpens.

Mets' Jason Bay could move to center field in 2012, team up with Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda in OF  —  Imperfect circumstances call for creative solutions, and in recent weeks the Mets have kicked around many ideas for 2012.  In that spirit, a well-placed front office source said it is …

Pirates trade Matt Diaz to Braves  —  Outfielder Matt Diaz was traded to the Atlanta Braves by the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later on Wednesday.  —  Diaz  —  Diaz signed with the Pirates last offseason after spending the previous five seasons with the Braves.

Indians demote 1B LaPorta  —  CLEVELAND (AP)—Manager Manny Acta said the Cleveland Indians' demotion of first baseman Matt LaPorta(notes) to the minors Tuesday is a case of roster numbers.  —  LaPorta's mediocre production numbers didn't help.  —  Batting .238 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 97 games …

Sources: Phillies acquire Bowker from Pirates  —  CINCINNATI - The Phillies will add a left-handed bat to their roster before the midnight Wednesday deadline for gaining postseason eligibility.  —  According to sources, the team has acquired John Bowker from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Strasburg will return to Nats for Tuesday's start  —  ATLANTA — Washington manager Davey Johnson on Tuesday confirmed plans for Stephen Strasburg to make his first 2011 start for the Nationals on Sept. 6.  —  Strasburg will start for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday.

Titanic HR puts S.F. in deep trouble  —  Power display at AT&T - by softball hitters, Soriano  —  It probably sounded good at the time.  A group of softball legends would come to AT&T Park and stage a power-hitting show at dusk, putting everyone in a festive mood for the Cubs-Giants game to follow.

Ryan Adams' RBI hit caps comeback, Orioles top Jays 6-5  —  BALTIMORE - Ryan Adams capped a two-run, 10th-inning rally with an RBI single and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Tuesday night.  —  Matt Wieters led off the Baltimore 10th by drawing a walk off Brian Tallet …

Drew and Youkilis hit it off in the minors  —  Stars start rehab with Pawtucket  —  ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew found themselves in a familiar situation last night: Playing for the Red Sox against a New York rival in the heat of a pennant race.  —  But there was a twist to this tale.

Berkman on trade: ‘That ship has sailed’  —  MILWAUKEE — Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman has informed general manager John Mozeliak that he would not consider returning to the club as a free agent this winter if he is traded this week to the Texas Rangers.

Jackson pitches seven solid innings, Cards win over Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — Edwin Jackson pitched seven solid innings and singled home the go-ahead run to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Tuesday night.  —  Despite the win, the Cardinals still are 9 1/2 games behind …

Orioles' MacPhail could start GM exodus with resignation  —  BALTIMORE - Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, has reached a decision on his future in the Baltimore Orioles organization, but plans to wait until season's end before announcing his intentions.