Jeff Francis accepts minor-league assignment for Rockies, heads to Colorado Springs  —  Jeff Francis pitches in spring training a few years back.  He accepted a minor-league assignment to remain with the Rockies organization.  (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

Longoria homers twice, Moore ends skid, Rays beat Yankees  —  NEW YORK — Evan Longoria homered twice and drove in three runs, Matt Moore ended a personal three-game skid and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 8-3 Thursday night.  —  Yunel Escobar also homered as Tampa Bay sent …

Ian Kinsler helps Rangers repel A's, close AL West gap  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — When the ball caromed away from Texas Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry, he quickly recovered to get it and throw to shortstop Elvis Andrus.  The game was over after a perfect relay to the plate.

Jon Niese leaves game with ‘left shoulder discomfort’  —  Jon Niese left Thursday night's game in the fourth inning with what the team described as discomfort in his left shoulder.  —  10:40 pm: Terry Collins told reporters after the game that Niese will go for an MRI in New York on Friday.

Ciriaco's big hits, flashy defence carry Padres past Dodgers  —  SAN DIEGO — Newcomer Pedro Ciriaco tripled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and hit a two-run homer in the eighth to lead the San Diego Padres to a 6-3 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.

Final Score: Mets 4 Braves 3  —  The Least You Should Know:  —  David Wright his two solo home runs, Andrew Brown hit another, and Josh Satin had a pinch-hit RBI double, as the Mets completed taking three of five games from the Braves to win their first series in Atlanta since 2011.

(USATSI)  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez's recent progress is said by people around the Yankees to have been dramatic, with one person calling it “fantastic” and another even speculating A-Rod could possibly begin to play rehab games just after the All-Star break.

Benoit Leyland's first option in closer situation  —  DETROIT — Before Jose Valverde rejoined the Tigers at the end of April, manager Jim Leyland had a bullpen by committee, but had Joaquin Benoit as his preferred option.  —  “On a lot of the days, if it's doable, I think [Joaquin] …

Living Up to Expectations  —  Oswaldo Arcia homered for the Twins this afternoon, scoring the first run of the game in the second inning as the White Sox trail 3-1 in the fourth.  The 22-year-old rookie is off to a nice start, with 33 hits, fifteen of them going for extra bases.

Crowe to disabled list after collision with wall  —  HOUSTON — The Astros placed right-fielder Trevor Crowe on the 15-day disabled list after he sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder during the sixth inning of Thursday's 7-4 win over the Brewers.  —  Crowe smashed the shoulder …