All-Star Freeman has three hits as Braves beat Reds  —  ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman celebrated his newly won All-Star berth by driving in four runs with three hits and the Atlanta Braves beat Mat Latos and the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Thursday night.  —  Freeman held off Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig …

Orioles Designate Jair Jurrjens For Assignment  —  The Orioles announced on Twitter that they have designated right-hander Jair Jurrjens for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Jairo Asencio, who has been called up from Triple-A Norfolk.  —  The 27-year-old Jurrjens appeared …

Pirates, O's Swap Russ Canzler, Tim Alderson  —  The Pirates have acquired Russ Canzler from the Orioles, according to his agent, William Appleton (Twitter link; hat tip to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com).  Kubatko tweets that the Orioles will receive right-hander Tim Alderson in the deal.

Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier, and #2 Hitters  —  Before yesterday's game, Dusty Baker talked about his line-up choices, specifically his decision to stick with Zack Cozart in the #2 spot in the order despite his .261 on base percentage.  From John Fay's article:

Richard to have surgery, won't return this year  —  SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Clayton Richard will have season-ending surgery to his left shoulder as soon as next week, though there is some upside to his malady.  —  Richard, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 22 …

Buehrle, Blue Jays set for showdown with Tillman, Orioles  —  (Sports Network) - Chris Tillman eyes his 11th win of the season Friday when the Baltimore Orioles open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards.  —  Tillman lost for the first time in eight decisions …

Jeter brightens Bronx, exits too soon  —  Cap's comeback turns out good, bad and — with an MRI pending — possibly ugly  —  NEW YORK — Three months into the regular season, it finally felt as if there was a real Yankee game at Yankee Stadium.  —  After 91 games of watching the Lyle Overbays …

Streaking Dodgers Beat Rockies 6-1  —  LOS ANGELES — Chris Capuano pitched shutout ball for 6 1/3 innings, Mark Ellis drove in four runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 6-1 on Thursday night for their fifth win in a row.  —  The Dodgers moved above .500 for the first time since April 15.

Will Mets trade Marlon Byrd?  Explaining their deadline approach; Ominous injury for Yankees' Derek Jeter; Other deadline notes  —  Marlon Byrd is the perfect candidate to be traded this month, right?  A veteran on a one-year contract, distinguishing himself with dynamic play …

Chris Davis discusses steroids: ‘I have never taken them.  I have no reason to’  —  Orioles slugger says Roger Maris owns baseball's true single-season home run record  —  Chris Davis feels baseball's true single-season home run record was Roger Maris' 61 in 1961.

Towers: Relief help bigger target for trade  —  PHOENIX — Trade rumors have linked the D-backs to a number of high-profile starting pitchers, but the team seems more likely to add bullpen help.  —  “I'm not as concerned probably with our starting pitching and looking externally …