David Ortiz exits game with back spasms  —  Here's some potentially bad news for the reeling Red Sox.  —  Brian McPherson of the Providence Journal reports that David Ortiz left tonight's game against the Blue Jays due to back spasms.  Ortiz was in the original starting lineup as the designated hitter …

Mariano Rivera gets 600th save in Yankees' 3-2 win  —  SEATTLE — Mariano Rivera earned his 600th save, moving within one of Trevor Hoffman's major league record, by closing out the New York Yankees' 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.  —  Rivera entered with a one-run lead …

Moneyball, the movie, is an absolute mess of a film, the type of muddled end product you'd expect from a project that took several years and went through multiple writers and directors.  Even good performances by a cast of big names and some clever makeup work couldn't save this movie …

Cubs may have to act quickly on Ramirez's 2012 option  —  Club might have to make decision before new GM named  —  CINCINNATI — When the Cubs make the decision on whether to exercise Aramis Ramirez's $16 million option this offseason, one thing they must consider is the possibility …

Updated: Here is the Mets full, preliminary 2012 schedule  —  Today, Major League Baseball announced its 2012 regular season schedule.  —  The Mets will open the season at home on Thursday, April 5, against the Braves, after which they face the Nationals (at home), Phillies (on the road) …

Angels keep pace in West, ride Kendrick's two homers past A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Howie Kendrick homered twice, Erick Aybar scored the go-ahead run on a wild throw home in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Angels picked up a needed and rare win at the Oakland Coliseum, beating the Athletics 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Brewers' K-Rod unhappy he's not in closer's mix  —  MILWAUKEE — He's done his job.  He's been a good soldier.  —  But if you think Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez is fine with pitching exclusively as a set-up man for first-place Milwaukee, you'd be wrong.  —  “I'm not fine,” Rodriguez said Tuesday.

Barmes' 3-run homer leads Astros over Phillies 5-2  —  HOUSTON—Clint Barmes hit a three-run homer and J.A. Happ pitched six solid innings against his former team as the Houston Astros beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Tuesday night, preventing the Phillies from wrapping up a playoff spot.

Verlander earns league-best 23rd win; Tigers beat White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings to earn his major league-best 23rd win and the Detroit Tigers blanked the Chicago White Sox 5-0 on Tuesday night for their 11th consecutive victory.

Holliday hurts right hand, will return home  —  PITTSBURGH _ The Cardinals' winning two-run rally in the ninth inning here tonight was marred when left fielder Matt Holliday felt discomfort on the underside of his right hand while swinging the bat in the on-deck circle.

Phillips homers to back Leake as Reds end three-game skid  —  CINCINNATI, Ohio — Brandon Phillips homered again, hitting a leadoff shot that helped Mike Leake and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Tuesday night and end a three-game losing streak.  —  Phillips homered for the third time in two games.

DeRosa drives in winning run for Giants in 12th  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Mark DeRosa kept glancing at the out-of-town scoreboard as he sat on the bench for seven innings.  By the time he came to bat in the 12th, he'd seen the teams ahead of the Giants all win.  —  “If we wanted to keep any pulse …