Ty Blach, San Francisco Giants throttle Chicago Cubs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In a San Francisco Giants season reduced to a series of silver linings, left-hander Ty Blach has gone above and beyond.  —  Basically, he has been golden.  —  Supported by a first-inning, three-run homer from Buster Posey …

Yankees' Aaron Hicks expected back Friday vs. Red Sox  —  TORONTO — Aaron Hicks (oblique) is expected back on Friday against Boston, Joe Girardi said.  —  He homered with Double-A Trenton on Wednesday.  —  Greg Bird (ankle) and Starlin Castro (hamstring) are expected to begin minor-league rehab stints next week.

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.

BAR: When should you pinch-run for Joey Votto?  —  Which ballpark has the safest food?  Which should make you at least slightly wary?  We ranked the best and worst MLB stadiums based on their most recent food safety inspections.  Time_Sports  —  CONNECT … Joey Votto is the slowest baserunner on the Cincinnati Reds.

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 …

Jake Lamb's two homers help Arizona Diamondbacks cool off Los Angeles Dodgers  —  PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb once got mad when teams intentionally walked a batter to face him.  He respects the choice now, and he is slowly learning to get even.

Astros activate OF George Springer from 10-day DL  —  CHICAGO (AP) The Houston Astros activated George Springer from the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday, and he will lead off and play center field against the Chicago White Sox.  —  Springer had been sidelined since July 24 with a left quad injury.

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 …

Bridwell haunts former team in Angels' 3-2 win over Orioles  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Parker Bridwell, a right-hander the Angels picked up simply for cash in mid-April from the Orioles, came back to haunt his former team Tuesday night in a 3-2 victory for Los Angeles over Baltimore.

Chris Sale strikes out 13 as Red Sox down Rays 2-0 to win seventh straight  —  Red Sox starter Chris Sale, pitching just down the road from his hometown of Lakeland, reached double digits in strikeouts for the 15th time this season.  —  Chris Sale allowed two hits in eight innings and struck out 13 …

Reds Claim Luke Farrell, Designate Scott Van Slyke  —  The Reds announced on Wednesday that they've claimed right-hander Luke Farrell off waivers from the Dodgers and designated former Dodger Scott Van Slyke for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Detroit Tigers reportedly place Kinsler on revocable trade waivers  —  The Detroit Tigers reportedly have placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on revocable trade waivers.  —  According to tweets by Foxsports.com reporter Ken Rosenthal, Kinsler's waivers expire at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Twins recall Vargas for 4th time, with Mejia sent to DL  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have recalled first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot created after starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia landed on the 10-day disabled list.

Nationals' Stephen Strasburg pitches simulated game  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said he felt good after a four-inning simulated start Wednesday.  —  Strasburg is on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow nerve impingement.  He threw 57 pitches before Washington's game against the Miami Marlins.

Martin powers Mariners past A's 7-6 in 10  —  Leonys Martin insists he wasn't swinging for the fences.  —  But a good swing got the job done at the most opportune of times for the Seattle Mariners.  —  Martin homered in the top of the 10th inning as the Mariners rallied from a four-run deficit …