History suggests Tampa Bay Rays fans should temper their hopes  —  It begins quietly, just an inkling that all is not lost.  —  A few victories in a row, perhaps.  Maybe a key injury on another team, followed by a walkoff homer at a time when few people are paying attention.

Hamels, Pence lead Phillies past Brewers, 7-2  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — For only the second time in nearly seven years, the Philadelphia Phillies played a game without three of their biggest stars - Ryan Howard , Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins .  —  It didn't matter.

Kennedy Gets 19th Win as D-Backs Beat Padres 4-1  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Ian Kennedy struck out a season-high 11 over seven-plus innings for his National League-leading 19th win as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday night.  —  Kennedy (19-4) scattered seven hits and did not walk a batter over 7 2-3 innings.

Pudge to be in reserve role for rest of season  —  WASHINGTON — It appears unlikely that Ivan Rodriguez will start another game behind the plate this season.  —  Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that he plans to start Wilson Ramos at catcher, with Jesus Flores serving as the backup.

Konerko hits grand slam to lead White Sox over Indians  —  CHICAGO — Brent Morel hit two homers and Paul Konerko had a grand slam, lifting the Chicago White Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.  —  Morel hit a solo shot off Indians starter David Huff (2-4) …

Source: MLB wants Astros to move to AL  —  League would seek move pending new ownership  —  HOUSTON — As the Astros await approval of a transfer of ownership to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane, an industry source has confirmed for MLB.com that Commissioner Bud Selig has asked Crane …

Final: Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 4  —  Jason Varitek homered in the ninth.  But with two on and two out, Dustin Pedroia struck out.  He has one hit in his last 23 at-bats and was 1 for 20 in the series.  —  Bottom of 8th: Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 3  —  David Cooper tacked on yet another run …

Robertson setting up for Yankees' postseason push  —  Ask about Yankees reliever David Robertson and you will hear terms like “natural cut” and “long, loose extension” and “fastballs that have late life,” and you realize these are words that have been used for more than a decade to describe Mariano Rivera.

How valuable is Curtis Granderson?  —  Yankees center fielder finds himself right in the middle of AL MVP debate  —  NEW YORK — Most players arrive in a new city and spend their free time looking for a comfortable place to live, enrolling the kids in school, scoping out the restaurant scene …

Chipper Jones to Bat 2nd for Struggling Braves  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Chipper Jones is batting second in the Atlanta Braves' lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets on Thursday, his first start in that spot since 1996.  —  Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez …

Great photo: Tony La Russa shakes maracas for Carlos Santana  —  ¡Oye como va!  It's not hard to make out the blurry figure with his arms raised behind the percussionst.  That's St. Louis Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa providing a little backup for legendary musician Carlos Santana(notes) at a recent show.

Jason Isringhausen wants to pitch in '12  —  New York Mets reliever Jason Isringhausen will be sidelined for at least a few days with a herniated disk in his lower back that is pinching the sciatic nerve and causing tingling in his right foot.  —  But the 39-year-old reliever …