Next Slide  —  What happened: One day after scoring seven runs, the Detroit Tigers' bats went completely quiet in a 3-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.  —  Detroit tallied just three hits all game and was befuddled by A's starter Chris Bassitt and Oakland's bullpen.

Yankees' strategy for Red Sox series didn't help vs. Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — Aaron Boone's decision to steal two extra days of rest for CC Sabathia cannot be second-guessed when dealing with a veteran pitcher at the end of June.  —  The glitch in the plan was that the Yankees turned …

Manny Machado sweepstakes are underway - and Dodgers are favorites to acquire him  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing it coy, acting as if they can't take on money, won't give up prized prospects, and aren't hellbent on returning to the World Series again.  —  Don't be fooled.

Cubs' Hendricks looks to pull plug on Dodgers' power  —  LOS ANGELES — At 48 home runs this month and counting, the Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in fast on a franchise record that, while impressive, has not been around all that long.  —  In June of last season, buoyed by the arrival …

Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo a big fan of Deven Marrero's defensive ability  —  MIAMI - It's safe to say that Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has a soft spot in his heart for backup utility infielder Deven Marrero.  —  Like Marrero, Lovullo was a career backup infielder …

Blue Jays manager Gibbons reaches milestone  —  HOUSTON — John Gibbons reached a significant milestone in Toronto's 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.  The Blue Jays skipper has now managed 1,500 MLB games, with a record of 757-743.  That's 87th overall on the MLB list.

Mets ownership challenges John Ricco in Sandy Alderson's absence  —  NEW YORK — One day after Mets' general manager Sandy Alderson announced his leave of absence to undergo cancer treatments and then essentially stepped down from his post, assistant general manager John Ricco was able to shed …

The best pitching performance ever for all 30 teams  —  On May 4, Gerrit Cole pitched one of the best games you will ever see.  He fired a 16-strikeout shutout against the Diamondbacks, allowing just one hit and one walk.  As a remarkable side note, Cole didn't strike any batters …

Royals' Mondesi is playing with confidence.  A connection to a lost friend has helped  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Five months ago, the Royals signaled to former top prospect Adalberto Mondesi they weren't ready to hand him the starting job at shortstop.  They signed Alcides Escobar to a one-year contract …

Carl Edwards Jr. could be back with Cubs real soon  —  Cubs' Yu Darvish on when he might come off the disabled list: 'It's still day-by-day.' (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs' rotation remains in flux, but Carl Edwards Jr. could rejoin the bullpen next week.

What happens as baseball players age?  —  23.  —  There are two outs, the bases are empty and the batter is 23.  —  He is, as he steps into the batter's box, the most exciting player in baseball.  As a rookie, he has hit a ball 513 feet in batting practice, thrown a pitch 102.5 mph …

Frank Thomas, Jack McDowell, Bo Jackson and Tim Raines headline 1993 White Sox reunion  —  Former White Sox players Frank Thomas, from left, Bo Jackson and Tim Raines will be among a group that will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1993 division champions.  (James C. Svehla / For the Chicago Tribune)

Pirates rally for 4 runs in 9th to beat beleaguered Mets 5-3  —  David Freese hit a go-ahead, two-run single and the  —  Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to beat the  —  New York Mets 5-3 on Wednesday night.  —  Gregory Polanco had an RBI single and Josh Bell added …

Every general manager's No. 1 priority for the second half  —  No MLB team can afford to take a year off.  Whether they are contenders, a year or two away, or heading downhill in need of a rebuild, all teams must work to further their goals.  With inaction not being a reasonable option …

Pirates Put Rodriguez On DL, Recall RHP Anderson  —  PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Pittsburgh Pirates put embattled utility man Sean Rodriguez on the 10-day disabled list with a right quadriceps strain on Wednesday.  —  The assignment is retroactive to June 25, so Rodriguez could return July 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies.