Yankees' Sonny Gray says tweet ‘an inside joke’ directed at a friend  —  NEW YORK — For nearly three innings Wednesday, New York Yankees starter Sonny Gray turned in one of his worst pitching outings he has had in what has been an inconsistent season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Why Phillies have confidence in Nick Pivetta |  Extra Innings  —  The Phillies are back tonight after a day off, the first of five this month as they have more off days in August than in any other month this season.  It should be a neat weekend at Citizens Bank Park as Shane Victorino will retire Friday …

Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman happy to be back to managing in his hometown  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jim Riggleman was back to where he made a decision that could have ended his chances of managing in the big leagues again.  —  Riggleman walked away from the Washington Nationals managing job …

Brave new world as Atlanta visits Mets  —  NEW YORK — For the Atlanta Braves, this weekend will be about getting a look at the two new players they acquired in hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time in five years.  For the New York Mets, this weekend will be about seeing …

Next Slide  —  Willi Castro is the newest Detroit Tigers prospect and, according to Brian Sakowski of Perfect Game USA, the team did well for themselves.  —  The Tigers traded for Castro on Tuesday, sending center fielder Leonys Martin and right-handed prospect Kyle Dowdy to Cleveland.

Grandal rallies Dodgers over Brewers 6-4 in 10  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier began his first game for the Los Angeles Dodgers with an error and then got better quickly.  —  Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer — his second of the game — in the 10th inning, and Dozier homered …

Rick Ankiel finds ‘good place’ and pitches for first time since 2004  —  Rick Ankiel took the mound Wednesday night at Louisville Slugger Field and struck out the only batter he faced on four pitches.  —  On the surface, it was a minor moment in a blowout game in an exhibition tournament played by past-their-prime former MLB players.

Eloy Jimenez still waiting for White Sox call-up: 'I'm going to be ready' for opportunity  —  Photos of the White Sox outfielder and No. 4-ranked prosepct by Baseball America.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Eloy Jimenez insists he is as much in the dark about his possible promotion to the White Sox …

Texas Rangers resume Papa John's pizza promotion  —  In the wake of many professional sports teams cutting ties with Papa John's Pizza due to racist remarks by the company's founder, the Texas Rangers have become the first to re-establish their relationship.