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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

Here are some candidates Mets should consider for GM  —  With the news that Sandy Alderson will be stepping away from the Mets' GM position as he battles the recurrence of cancer and likely won't be returning to his position, saying based on merit it's not warranted, we break down the candidates …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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)

Jayson Werth To Retire  —  Veteran outfielder Jayson Werth tells Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports that he will retire.  He had been with the Mariners organization on a minor-league deal.  —  Though Werth declined to describe the situation in precisely those terms, he told Heyman: “I'm done ... whatever you want to call it.”

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.

Zack Cozart To Undergo Shoulder Surgery  —  The Angels announced tonight that infielder Zack Cozart has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgical repair.  The Angels didn't provide a timetable for his return, though it seems unlikely that he'll be able to recover in time to return in 2018.

Carpenter homers twice, Cards chase Kluber to thump Indians  —  Matt Carpenter homered twice, matched a career best with five hits and helped chase  —  Corey Kluber in the shortest start of the right-hander's career in the  —  St. Louis Cardinals' 11-2 victory over the  —  Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag: Will Beau Burrows move up soon to Triple-A?  —  Welcome to the weekly Free Press Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions.  Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by e-mail at gsipple@freepress.com.