Josh Hamilton rips four 2-run HRs  —  BALTIMORE — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton's torrid 2012 season now includes his first career four-home-run game, all of them two-run shots.  —  Hamilton, who turns 31 later in May, hit three two-run homers through his first four at-bats during Tuesday's …

Butler's 3-run shot lifts Royals over Red Sox 6-4  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Billy Butler isn't the fastest guy on the base paths by any stretch, so the chances of him hitting into a double play are pretty good if he puts the ball on the ground.  —  Maybe that's why he was so keen on popping a pitch over the outfield wall instead.

Keppinger to restricted list; Rays add Guyer  —  NEW YORK — Following Tuesday night's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, the Rays placed Jeff Keppinger on the restricted list due to a personal matter and recalled outfielder Brandon Guyer from Triple-A Durham.  —  Keppinger, who signed with the Rays …

Cubs waste another fine Dempster performance  —  Wood's frustration shows after he gives up 2 in 8th of 3-1 loss to Braves  —  Kerry Wood's return from shoulder fatigue coincided with Carlos Marmol's demotion from the closer's role, leaving manager Dale Sveum with some difficult bullpen decisions.

Why Youkilis has to go  —  With Middlebrooks likely here to stay, a trade makes sense for all sides  —  The idea of trading Kevin Youkilis to make way for top prospect Will Middlebrooks gained early traction back in April, when Youkilis got off to a slow start and Middlebrooks was tearing …

Blue Jays give up 9th-inning grand slam in 7-3 loss to Athletics  —  Newcomer Brandon Inge hit a game-ending grand slam to cap a five-run ninth inning rally that led the Oakland Athletics to a 7-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.  —  The Blue Jays took the lead in the top …

Detroit gets 1st win over Seattle in 6-4 victory  —  SEATTLE—Justin Verlander won his 12th straight decision on the road, Prince Fielder homered and the Detroit Tigers raced to an early lead before holding on for a 6-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

Giants Beat Dodgers 2-1, Sending Kershaw to Loss  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Vogelsong pitched into the eighth inning for the first time this season, Brett Pill hit a two-run homer off Clayton Kershaw and the San Francisco Giants defeated the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Tuesday night …

Evil Empire?  Rockies' Jerry McMorris first called out the Yankees in 2002  —  Jerry McMorris, then owner of the Colorado Rockies and seen at left, at Coors Field in 2001 when then-president George W. Bush watched a game in Denver.  —  Contrary to long-held belief, it was not former Boston …

Casey Blake tells the Register that he's retiring  —  Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 1 Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 2 Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 3 Casey Blake in haunted house  —  Major League Baseball veteran Casey Blake said today that he officially has decided to retire …

Beltran's 2 HRs, 6 RBIs Lead St. Louis to 6-1 Win  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Carlos Beltran homered in his first two at-bats, including a grand slam, matching his career high with six RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Arizona 6-1 on Tuesday night, handing the Diamondbacks their fourth loss in a row.