Cubs catcher Alex Avila says he's ready for additional workload  —  Cubs backup catcher Alex Avila discusses how he will fill in for the injured Willson Contreras on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  When Alex Avila joined the Cubs on Aug. 1 …

Verlander dominates Pirates in lopsided Tigers' win  —  DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander allowed one hit over eight innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-0 on Wednesday night.  —  Josh Bell ended Verlander's attempt at a third career no-hitter in the sixth inning …

Zimmerman, Gonzalez pace Nats over Marlins 10-1 (Aug 09, 2017)  —  WASHINGTON (AP) Ryan Zimmerman had four run-scoring hits, including two solo home runs, drove in five runs and became the franchise's all-time RBI leader as the Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins 10-1 on Wednesday night.

The swing tweak that may have fixed Jose Peraza  —  Hitting coach Don Long has worked with Jose Peraza since before either joined the Cincinnati Reds.  Long was the minor-league hitting coordinator for the Atlanta Braves when Peraza was working his way through the Atlanta system.

Miguel Gonzalez's arm, Tim Anderson's bat lead White Sox over AL-leading Astros  —  White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez discusses his outing in the team's 7-1 win over the Astros on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017.  (Chris Kuc/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox are going all 2005 World Series on the Astros.

Perez leads Rangers over Mets 5-1 for 2-game split  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Perez allowed three hits over eight innings, Joey Gallo hit his 32nd home run and the Texas Rangers beat the New York Mets 5-1 on Wednesday for a two-game split.  —  Texas took a 3-0 lead in the first against Rafael Montero …

Rays' Odorizzi leaves game after line drive hits foot  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi left Wednesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning after being struck squarely on the right foot by a line drive.

Puello's 1st hit, Cron homer leads Angels past Orioles, 5-1 (Aug 09, 2017)  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) After 10 seasons in the minors and playing in his first major league game, Cesar Puello singled in the go-ahead run and C.J. Cron added a two-run homer to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-1 victory …

Wednesday's game  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (13-4, 3.10) vs. Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (13-1, 2.33).  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1)  —  You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pitching match-up all season.  —  Greinke was hit hard his last outing …

Odubel Herrera triples twice as Phillies top Atlanta Braves, 3-2  —  ATLANTA - It is often difficult to identify the future core of the team that the Phillies hope can lead them back to contention. … The team's rebuilding process has yet to provide those answers.

Todd Frazier ignites Yankees offense to 11-5 win over Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Todd Frazier had mostly struggled since joining the Yankees — until Wednesday night.  —  Frazier had three hits — including a homer — scored four runs and drove in three more, leading the Bombers to a 11-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

CC Sabathia's MRI comes back clean, unknown if Yankee will go on DL  —  TORONTO — CC Sabathia was down after injuring his right knee on Tuesday night, but an MRI taken on Wednesday surprisingly came back clean.  “There's no new damage,” Joe Girardi said.  —  It's unknown if Sabathia will still require a DL stint anyway.

Royals put Alex Gordon on bench amid season-long slump  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Alex Gordon rarely hangs around the Royals clubhouse before games, preferring to spend his time in the weight room, trainer's room or the batting cages deep within Kauffman Stadium.

Yanks, Red Sox to wear names on home jerseys in promotion  —  NEW YORK (AP) — When the Yankees and Red Sox play later this month they will have names on the back of their jersey.  All Rise, Sir Didi, Kraken and Toddfather should suit up for New York.  Benny, 2-Bags, Brock Star and Laser Show could be in Boston's lineup.

Blackmon's 12th-inning homer leads Rockies over Indians 3-2 … Charlie Blackmon homered in the 12th inning, atoning for a baserunning blunder and lifting the  —  Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Wednesday.  —  With Colorado trailing 2-1, Blackmon singled leading off the eighth and was running …