Josh Hamilton's record-tying four home runs add intrigue to renewed contract talks with Rangers  —  The Josh Hamilton who hit four home runs Tuesday night is a player the Texas Rangers would love to sign long term, and considering that sources told Yahoo! Sports they've reopened negotiations with him on an extension, they're trying.

Bobby V looking into Beckett golf outing  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In his weekly appearance on WEEI's “The Big Show,” Bobby Valentine addressed, but didn't confirm, a report by 98.5 The Sports Hub that Josh Beckett [stats] was spotted playing golf last Thursday after the Red Sox [team stats] …

On Keppinger's status, Matsui's contract  —  * The Rays placed INF Jeff Keppinger on the “restricted list” so he could deal with what was described as “a personal matter” and so they would not have to play shorthanded while he was gone, which may only be for a day or two.  OF Brandon Guyer was called up to take his place.

Fenway announcer Carl Beane killed in car crash  —  Carl Beane, the public address announcer at Fenway Park, was killed in a single-car accident in Sturbridge this afternoon.  —  Beane, 59, was pronounced dead at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge a short time after the crash on Holland Road early this afternoon.

Dan Uggla's single in eighth lifts Braves to win  —  CHICAGO — Randall Delgado didn't get a win with his strong performance Tuesday night, but the Braves made sure the rookie pitcher didn't get a loss.  —  Dan Uggla drove in two runs with a tie-breaking, bases-loaded single in the eighth inning …

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.

Brewers measure offense by ‘team production’  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers' offense is not clicking the way it has in recent seasons, at least according to the traditional measures.  But the team's coaches have other ways of tracking production, including one they track called “team productive at-bats.”

Sweeny: Going One-On-One With Michael Pineda  —  While most of the talk around Yankee Stadium still revolved around Mariano Rivera and news spread of Andy Pettitte's imminent return, Michael Pineda sat in the dugout Tuesday afternoon, his right arm in a sling, staring at the rain falling on the tarp-covered field.

Dontrelle Willis drops grievance  —  Pitcher Dontrelle Willis has agreed to drop his grievance against the Baltimore Orioles after the team granted his request to pitch as a starter in the minor leagues, his agent told ESPN.com.  —  Willis, 30, will report to extended spring training …

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.